"And
whosoever
shall not
receive you,
nor
hear your words,
when ye depart
out of
that house
or city,
shake off the dust
of your feet."
-Matt.10:14
Introduction...
Who were the "Dust-Shakers?"
... and ...
Who are the "Dust-Shakers" of today?
... Every Word of God is precious
... but of course .. the Words in red .. the very Words of instruction from the lips of Jesus .. to the first Christians
... deserve special attention now .. at this time in history
... as they did the day they were spoken.
But we would be remiss .. if we believe these Words were meant strictly for the apostles
... for their mission .. has now become our mission
... and it is "thee mission" .. that our "Commander in Chief" .. is addressing emphatically in this red-letter command
... as we go forth to shine the Light on the Way to eternal life .. through our Lord Jesus Christ
... who died to pay the penalty for our sin .. so we might be reconciled to Him and enjoy His presence throughout eternity.
But .. let us not forget that where there is Light .. there is also darkness
... and ...
Where there is God's promise of rescue from self-destruction as a result of sin
... there is also judgment and God's promise of His wrath .. to be poured out against all who reject His Words
... Words carried by His children .. His servants .. who obediently share that most valuable information with spiritually bankrupt .. and eternally dying .. worldlings that do not realize
... that by rejecting the loving sacrifice of Christ .. and privilege of following Him
... they have really chosen the torments of Hell for eternity.
... HOWEVER ...
The Words, to which Jesus was referring .. were not only Words regarding the Way to eternal life
... but Words referring to the rest of the "salvation package".. if you will
... Words that emphasize the expectation of God .. after we express our desire to enjoy the benefits of heaven .. wanting to avoid the eternal torments of Hell.
Nevertheless .. there is something else we should be concerned about .. something He is looking for in our heart .. to prove our sincerity .. and genuineness.
That "something".. is "gratitude".. evidenced by our willingness to receive and follow His Word.
If we do not "hear".. receive and follow .. but reject .. His Word .. it proves that no salvation transaction has actually occurred
... no submission to the Authority if Christ has happened
... because self is still on the throne.
Therefore .. Jesus makes it crystal clear .. that His wrath
... actually .. an even greater wrath than Sodom and Gomorrha
... awaits those who refuse to hear the Words His servants
... brothers and sisters in Christ .. care enough to obediently share wherever they go.
... So Jesus gives this command:
11
"And
into whatsoever
city or town
ye shall enter,
enquire who in it
is worthy;
and there abide
till ye go thence."
"enquire"
[G1833]
= search out .. ask
= examine strictly
= ascertain
"worthy"
[G514]
= having weight
= determining value
(genuine or not)
[Lexicon]
= worth the while
= worth the time
invested
(as relates to spiritual
.. not financial)
Interestingly .. this verse presupposes that followers of Christ will be going from town to town
... that when they travel .. they should inquire who is worthy to engage in fellowship
... and discern with whom to lodge .. in that specific city or town.
In other words .. some may have dedicated their lives to traveling for the purpose of spreading the Word of God
... but in any case .. for whatever purpose .. when literally traveling on foot
.. or .. like today .. by car .. or even traveling over the internet
... it is important to seek out other believers .. discern their sincerity /genuineness .. and share the Word of God with them
... to "feed on" the Word (i.e."Bread of Life") together .. for the purpose of strengthening .. encouraging .. enlightening/teaching .. one another.
Therefore .. when traveling .. everywhere we go .. we should share the precious Word of God.
... BUT ...
There is another purpose for Jesus' command to inquire:
... to determine those that are "worthy."
12
"And
when ye come
into an house,
salute it."
"salute"
[G782]
= "to draw to one's self
= greet .. welcome
= wish well
= to receive joyfully
[Lexicon]
= sometimes with a slight
gesture by embracing
.. kissing
= to pay respects
The first step to determining
"worthiness".. is to give everyone "the benefit of the doubt".. the opportunity to freely share what is in their heart
... without any preconceived feelings toward another .. so discernment is achieved in a fair and loving manner.
13
"And if the house
be worthy,
let your peace
come upon it:
but
if it be not worthy,
let your peace
return to you."
"peace"
[G1515]
= a course of life
promoting harmony
"return"
[G1994]
= withdraw
= come back
[Lexicon]
= to return to a better
mind
The main goal of true Christian fellowship .. as defined in John 17
... is based on the Truth of the Word of God.
It is not "socialization"
... as addressed throughout this Blog in various posts such as
"Word Speaks before Departure."
Genuine Christian harmony can only be found by sharing Truth.
If harmony cannot be experienced through the Truth of God's Word
... then Jesus tells us to let our attempt to find "peace return"
... or "withdraw" the attempt to find harmony
... do not concede to any thought that would be contrary to the Truth God has established
... but "return to a better mind."
We are not instructed to argue about Truth
... just quietly withdraw
... but not without leaving one last .. silent warning:
14
"And whosoever
shall not
receive you,
nor hear
your words,
when ye depart
out of that house
or city,
shake off the dust
of your feet."
To "shake off the dust" of one's feet carries a powerful sign of God's wrath and judgment as it pertains to His precious Word and Holy Spirit.
... It is .. in fact .. His response to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
... which explains the reason the punishment will be worse than Sodom and Gomorrha.
[For more regarding the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit .. see post .. "Eternally Fatal Deception."]
"The dust" is also mentioned in the Old Testament .. to describe the wrath and judgment coming upon the wicked enemies of God's people.
Psalm 18: 37-42...
37
"I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
38
I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
39
For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
40
Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
41
They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD,
but he answered them not
42
Then did I
beat them small
as the dust
before the wind:
I did cast them out
as
the dirt
in the streets."
Then the wrath and judgment...
15
"Verily I say unto you,
It shall be
more tolerable
for the land of
Sodom and Gomorrha in
the day of judgment,
than for that city."
Jesus' Name IS "the Word of God"
... and is to receive as much respect as Jesus ... because the Holy Spirit resides in His Word
... by which faith comes .. to manifest all the preeminence that the Lord, Jesus Christ possesses.
... Therefore .. to not receive His Word .. is to not receive Him.
16
"Behold,
I send you forth
as sheep
in the midst
of wolves:
be ye therefore
wise as serpents,
and harmless
as doves."
Jesus has told us that as His sheep
... we are "the Dust-Shakers"
... functioning in an hostile environment of wolves
... who are not going to be living in harmony with the Truth of His Word
... not receiving it when they hear it,
... So as we travel through this life .. our mission is to inquire .. and discern
... those who are worthy of our fellowship in the Word of God.
... Enjoy the peaceful harmony when found
... withdraw when peaceful harmony cannot be found
... and remember to "shake the dust" off our feet as we leave
... for Jesus is coming soon
... and so is the wrath and judgment of God .. Almighty.
* * * * *
If you have not been living in harmony with the Word of God and God's people .. hurry .. scroll to the top of this page
... click on the gift wrapped in gold in the left column
... and with an honest and sincere heart follow the directions to receive a new .. born-again .. life in Christ.
Hurry .. He is coming very soon
... You must repent asking forgiveness of all sin
... submit to the preeminent Authority of Jesus Christ
... and with a grateful heart .. love Him and His Word .. with all your heart .. to be counted worthy to escape the wrath and judgment that will soon come "as a snare" upon the whole earth.
♡♡♡
"salute"
[G782]
= "to draw to one's self
= greet .. welcome
= wish well
= to receive joyfully
[Lexicon]
= sometimes with a slight
gesture by embracing
.. kissing
= to pay respects
The first step to determining
"worthiness".. is to give everyone "the benefit of the doubt".. the opportunity to freely share what is in their heart
... without any preconceived feelings toward another .. so discernment is achieved in a fair and loving manner.
13
"And if the house
be worthy,
let your peace
come upon it:
but
if it be not worthy,
let your peace
return to you."
"peace"
[G1515]
= a course of life
promoting harmony
"return"
[G1994]
= withdraw
= come back
[Lexicon]
= to return to a better
mind
The main goal of true Christian fellowship .. as defined in John 17
... is based on the Truth of the Word of God.
It is not "socialization"
... as addressed throughout this Blog in various posts such as
"Word Speaks before Departure."
Genuine Christian harmony can only be found by sharing Truth.
If harmony cannot be experienced through the Truth of God's Word
... then Jesus tells us to let our attempt to find "peace return"
... or "withdraw" the attempt to find harmony
... do not concede to any thought that would be contrary to the Truth God has established
... but "return to a better mind."
We are not instructed to argue about Truth
... just quietly withdraw
... but not without leaving one last .. silent warning:
14
"And whosoever
shall not
receive you,
nor hear
your words,
when ye depart
out of that house
or city,
shake off the dust
of your feet."
To "shake off the dust" of one's feet carries a powerful sign of God's wrath and judgment as it pertains to His precious Word and Holy Spirit.
... It is .. in fact .. His response to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
... which explains the reason the punishment will be worse than Sodom and Gomorrha.
[For more regarding the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit .. see post .. "Eternally Fatal Deception."]
"The dust" is also mentioned in the Old Testament .. to describe the wrath and judgment coming upon the wicked enemies of God's people.
Psalm 18: 37-42...
37
"I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
38
I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
39
For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
40
Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
41
They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD,
but he answered them not
42
Then did I
beat them small
as the dust
before the wind:
I did cast them out
as
the dirt
in the streets."
Then the wrath and judgment...
15
"Verily I say unto you,
It shall be
more tolerable
for the land of
Sodom and Gomorrha in
the day of judgment,
than for that city."
Jesus' Name IS "the Word of God"
... and is to receive as much respect as Jesus ... because the Holy Spirit resides in His Word
... by which faith comes .. to manifest all the preeminence that the Lord, Jesus Christ possesses.
... Therefore .. to not receive His Word .. is to not receive Him.
16
"Behold,
I send you forth
as sheep
in the midst
of wolves:
be ye therefore
wise as serpents,
and harmless
as doves."
Jesus has told us that as His sheep
... we are "the Dust-Shakers"
... functioning in an hostile environment of wolves
... who are not going to be living in harmony with the Truth of His Word
... not receiving it when they hear it,
... So as we travel through this life .. our mission is to inquire .. and discern
... those who are worthy of our fellowship in the Word of God.
... Enjoy the peaceful harmony when found
... withdraw when peaceful harmony cannot be found
... and remember to "shake the dust" off our feet as we leave
... for Jesus is coming soon
... and so is the wrath and judgment of God .. Almighty.
* * * * *
If you have not been living in harmony with the Word of God and God's people .. hurry .. scroll to the top of this page
... click on the gift wrapped in gold in the left column
... and with an honest and sincere heart follow the directions to receive a new .. born-again .. life in Christ.
Hurry .. He is coming very soon
... You must repent asking forgiveness of all sin
... submit to the preeminent Authority of Jesus Christ
... and with a grateful heart .. love Him and His Word .. with all your heart .. to be counted worthy to escape the wrath and judgment that will soon come "as a snare" upon the whole earth.
♡♡♡
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