zealous not foolish

acts 18:1-8; Jhn 16:16-20

In the reading from Acts, We find Paul leaving Athens and going to Corinth. We encounter a list of early converts: Aquila, Priscilla, Titus Justus, Crispus.

The faith was spreading but not every one accepted what Paul had to say.

18:6 "When they opposed him and insulted him, he would shake out his garments in protest and say to them, ;your blood be on your own heads. I am not to blame! From now on, I will turn to the gentiles.'"

"Your blood be on your own heads."

What does this mean?

Paul is simply reminding the people of the personal responsibility necessary. They must become responsible and integrate the word preached to them personally in their lives. There is always a personal aspect of faith necessary for faith to be truly genuine and authentic and sincere.

IF we do not personally take responsibility then we shall personally be responsible.

Paul is telling them that he had done all that he could do. It was now in their hands to decide to act or remain obstinate.

When we look in the world we encounter a lot of people trying to skirt their responsibility. They always find someone to blame for their situation. Children blame teachers for their bad grades. Athletes will blame coaches for losing games. We will blame our bosses for low moral and productivity. We often blame our parents for our behavior and personality traits. We blame our president for our country. We blame supreme court for morality issues. we blame our legislatures for bad laws. We blame God for everything else.

At some point, we have to recognize it is our responsibility. God does his part, do we do our part. The blood is on our own heads.


We can learn a lot from Paul. Paul knew when to stop pushing. Paul knew when he had reached his limit and done all that he could do. He was not ashamed to back away and let people deal with the personal responsibility and freedom God gave them from the beginning. Paul knew when to walk away.

Paul knew when to push and pull; he also knew when to cool the jets and look elsewhere.

One moment he was "absorbed in preaching in giving evidence to the Jews that JEsus was the messiah" (Acts 18:5) and the next he leaves them be to think about what he had said (18:6).

Paul was zealous for Jesus but he was no fool.

At some point we too must leave people be and let the grace of God do the rest.