When we share our faith, we can expect a variety of responses. Although we’d love for

everyone to fall to their knees in repentance and accept Jesus right then and there, that’s not

always the case. Sometimes we are just called to share and then walk away – as Paul did in

Athens. We are merely messengers; the results are up to God.

When Paul was talking with the folks at the Areopagus, he went a tad too far for their comfort by

telling them that God was commanding “all men everywhere to repent, because He has

appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He

has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).

Paul’s audience was immediately discombobulated by his mention of their need to repent (they

probably got a little bit huffy over that!), but when he mentioned that God raised from the dead

the Man whom He ordained, this is what happened:

And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said,

“We will hear you again on this matter.” So Paul departed from among them. However,

some men joined him and believed… (Acts 17:32-34)

Three responses:

1 – Some mocked – they shook their heads, scoffed, and laughed in contempt at the whole idea

of anyone being raised from the dead.

2 – Some said they’d like to hear more some other time. However, there was no other time,

since Paul never returned to Athens. There’s an eternal danger in the “I’ll think about it

tomorrow” response.

3 – Some believed. They came to know “The Unknown God.”

These are the same responses you may receive when you share your faith. Some may make

fun of you, roll their eyes and walk away. Some may feign a bit of interest and suggest you circle

back on that another time. And some may respond in faith.

Chuck Swindoll puts it this way: Your task is to communicate truth. It’s God’s job to draw people

to Himself. You prepare the patient: He does the surgery… You entrust the results to God…

Trust the power of His Word. Trust it to haunt them and humble them. Your job is to love them

and speak truth to them, graciously and wisely. Leave the results to God.



And that’s what Paul did as he walked down the marble steps of the Areopagus and left behind

the city of Athens – never to return. Do you have a heart like Paul, compelled by love to share

the Truth – connecting with people where they are and letting God handle the rest?

By Judy Shrout