Time to Quit?

In Acts 18, I want to point out one thing and ask a question:

Verses 5-8

Paul was preaching the good news, and the Jews were unresponsive to the message...so Paul quits on them.  "Your blood be on your own heads!"  It's frustrating where you feel you are giving and giving and giving, and you don't seem to see anything!  Paul wanted to witness to the Jews because he really cared about their salvation.  He wanted to see these people find Jesus.  Was him giving up on them an act of weakness?  Anger?  Sin? 

Something we can take from this (and we've seen it in past chapters of Acts) is that only God can change hearts and lead people to His good news.  We are only tools.  Paul was only an instrument in God's plan.  He was effective...but only by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit could he accomplish what he did thus far. 

So, was Paul's giving up wrong?  I don't think so.  It was an acknowledgement that he couldn't do it.  If people aren't responding, don't waist your time.  It's a tough lesson, and may seem hard, but if they aren't going to meet God (or even meet you in the middle) then don't waist your time if God calls it to be used somewhere else.  God led Paul to Crispus and his whole household believed in Christ.  God may lead you away from someone to touch another.  Don't be discouraged.  If anything, continue to pray for the lost soul.  Only God can change hearts. 

In the midst of this, remember to always be slow to anger, slow to wrath, and quick to love.  (Also see Proverbs 17:27)  Just because you stop pursuing doesn't mean you've stopped loving them.  (Proverbs 17:17)

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."  I Thessalonians 5:11  
 Later, it says "...be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.  Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  (verses 14-18...emphasis added)

It's not easy, but through Christ, you can do all things.  Trust and believe.  Move on from those that aren't responsive to God's Good News, but don't stop loving them.   Satan so wants to weigh you down with that failure and chain...don't let him.  God is greater, and there is more to life than to be weighed down by something that wasn't meant to be part of God's perfect will.  "Be joyful always." 

God bless my friends.  Keep fighting, and pray for me as well because I struggle with this.