On November 17, 2018, a 26-year old American missionary by the name of John Allen Chau was killed on North Sentinel Island, a remote island off the coast of India. The small population inhabiting that island are hostile to any outsider that attempts to visit their island, threatening and killing intruders.
John Chau, a graduate of Oral Roberts University had visited the island once before and was attacked and nearly killed on that visit, an arrow shot at him even piercing the Bible he carried.
Missionary Chau perhaps had never read Jesus’ advice concerning those hostile to the gospel message: “And into whatsoever city or town (or island) you shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy (open-minded, receptive to your message), and there abide till you go thence. And when you come into a house, salute it (greet the occupants in peace). And if the house be worthy (displaying a hospitable attitude). let your peace come upon it (speak to them your message of how they can enjoy peace with God), but if it be not worthy (rejecting your message), let your peace return unto you (say no more). And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, WHEN YOU DEPART OUT OF THAT HOUSE OR CITY (as that is what your Lord commands you to do) shake off the dust of your feet (as a testimony to them that you did not come to take from them, not even a particle of dust from their house or city, but you came to give to them and give freely without price)” (See Matthew 10:11-14).
One of the hardest lessons I ever learned was that you cannot force-feed spiritual truth. I once thought if you presented the truth clearly enough, if you deftly connected scripture with scripture, if you cited a sufficient number of scripture texts, then surely your hearer, or reader, would see and accept what you were saying. Not so! I failed to consider a couple of facts that make all the difference in the world as to whether the truth will be received when presented.
Number one, I failed to consider Satan’s blinding POWER! Upon appearing to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, Jesus told Saul He was sending him to the Gentiles “to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from THE POWER OF SATAN unto God” (See Acts 26:13-18).
Speaking to the Jews that sought to kill Him, Jesus said, “He that is of God hears God’s words. You therefore hear them not, because you are not of God!” (See John 8:47). And of His “sheep,” Jesus said, “They shall hear my voice” (See John 10:16).
Speaking of the Christ-rejecting Pharisees, Jesus said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead!” (See Luke 16:31).
Over and over again Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (See Mark 4:9). Many are not open-minded. It is pointless to try to force-feed such minds. They cannot and will not receive. That is the exact situation John Allen Chau faced on North Sentinel Island. His return to that island was futile and resulted in his death.
Every prospective Christian missionary needs to read the 16th chapter of Acts slowly and carefully, giving extra special attention to the revelation given in verses 6 through 15: “Now when they (Paul and his companions) had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, AND WERE FORBIDDEN OF THY HOLY SPIRIT TO PREACH THE WORD IN ASIA (no door opening to them, no access given to that region at that time), after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia, BUT THE SPIRIT SUFFERED THEM NOT (again they are not received or find their way essentially blocked), and they passing by Mysia came down to Troas” (verses 6 through 8, Acts 16).
God must open the human mind and heart to receive spiritual truth. And unless and until the Holy Spirit does that, sharing that Word with a fellow human being is an exercise in futility.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley