The townspeople, however, because they heard he was heading to Jerusalem, whose people they hated, refused to welcome them or allow them to mark the necessary preparations. James and John, know as Sons of Thunder saw this, "they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them" (Luke 9:54)?
Years later, "when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria" (acts 8:14). The very people John would have destroyed with his brother James became a people he would later nurture as their spiritual leader.
This is the problem with you and I passing final judgment on anyone - we don't know when or how or if God's Spirit may begin to penetrate their hearts. We don't know the quality if their hearts. We don't know when or if they will turn. We must hold out hope and let God be the final Judge.
In the meantime, we may have to leave them as we turn attention to others but we can continue to pray that God will make a way for you or someone else. Let us keep hoping and praying for others to turn away from their sin and toward the Savior.
Jus' Sayn.
Years later, "when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria" (acts 8:14). The very people John would have destroyed with his brother James became a people he would later nurture as their spiritual leader.
This is the problem with you and I passing final judgment on anyone - we don't know when or how or if God's Spirit may begin to penetrate their hearts. We don't know the quality if their hearts. We don't know when or if they will turn. We must hold out hope and let God be the final Judge.
In the meantime, we may have to leave them as we turn attention to others but we can continue to pray that God will make a way for you or someone else. Let us keep hoping and praying for others to turn away from their sin and toward the Savior.
Jus' Sayn.
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