By David Ettinger
A Major Frustration
We try to share our beliefs with them, but they politely disagree or
outright mock us. This is a major frustration to “we” believers when
sharing the Gospel with “them,” unbelievers.

Socially, many of “them” fall right in line with what our culture is shilling: the unconditional acceptance the LGBT community, living together as a test-run for marriage, the blind acceptance of evolution and unequivocal denial of Biblical creation, and the firm belief that our world is only getting better.
We just can’t understand this. When we tell them about Heaven and Hell and what it takes to be delivered from Hell and how easy it is, they deride us. Don’t they want to be saved? Doesn’t their reason prove how logical we are being? Why can’t they see it?
The Reason in a Nutshell
If you find yourself agitated over such matters, I direct you to the apostle Paul, who provides the perfect answer for why unbelievers don’t get it. In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, he writes:
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
The church of Corinth was being inundated with false teachers, many of whom were altering the Gospel message in order to make it more palatable to unbelievers. The undiscerning Corinthians noted how much more appealing the “softer” message of the false teachers was compared with Paul’s “harder” version.

In defending the true Gospel, Paul noted that it was not the “hardness” of it that repelled them, but something much deeper. Paul explained that faith in Christ is not a matter of reasoning; it is God-ordained. Paul pointed out that no matter how clearly he presented the Gospel, it could not be comprehended by those “perishing.” Biblically, the word “perish” does not refer to physical death, but spiritual – that is, eternal separation from God.
The “perishing” are those who willfully reject the clear and saving message of the Gospel. Furthermore, when the “perishing” reject the Gospel, Satan, “the god of this age,” swoops in to “seal the deal.” It’s as if Satan is saying, “Excellent. This is exactly what I want to see, but I want to make sure they don’t have any second thoughts.”
With the authority over the unsaved world granted him by God, Satan “blinds the minds” of those who have rejected Christ. Therefore, no matter how clear and sensible a Gospel presentation may be, the mind of the “perishing” is closed to it. Though not a pleasant reality, at least this gives believers some insight into why the unsaved world is so unreceptive of our message.
So Why Share the Gospel?
Perhaps the simplest answer is, “We share the Gospel because we don’t know who is perishing and who is not.” This may seem a bit elementary, but I believe it is the truth. Believers cannot get into the business of determining who is “savable” and who is not. This is for God to decide.

Also, you must remember that it was not your own logic or reasoning skills which brought you to salvation in Christ. At one time, you were veiled to the Gospel; your mind was blinded and the light of the Gospel could not enter in. It was the Lord who took away the veil (2 Corinthians 3:16) and made it possible for you to see the light. If not for the Lord removing the veil from your heart, you too would be perishing.
This was certainly the case with me. I was raised in a liberal Jewish family, became an atheist at age 18, ridiculed the message of the Cross, and was finally saved at age 28. During my unsaved days, the Gospel made no sense to me whatsoever; when God lifted the veil, it made all the sense in the world.
Two Takeaways
First, never regard anyone as unworthy of hearing the Gospel. If you have an opportunity to share, assume that God has created the opportunity. Don’t forget, you have no ability to “win” anyone to Christ; only God can do that. Your job is to proclaim and let God do the rest.
Second, try not to get frustrated or discouraged by an unbeliever’s inability to either understand or accept what you are saying. Don’t forget, that individual is veiled to the Gospel, Satan has further blinded his mind, and the light has been hidden from him. However, it’s entirely possible that God has chosen this given day to reveal His light to him, and has chosen you as His instrument for enlightenment.
So keep forging away; there’s no telling when God will choose to reveal himself to one who can’t see it!
vicklea
May 10, 2019
Amen! Keep sharing the Gospel regardless of whether it is accepted or not! I am re-blogging. Your blogs are amazing, David! I hope that you are getting lots of new followers!
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dettinger47
May 10, 2019
Thank you so much for the kind words, Vickie. I hope your recovery is going well. It is encouraging to see you fighting through this as you remain engaged. The Lord’s richest blessings upon you.
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vicklea
May 10, 2019
The surgeon released me yesterday, so now I just have to add foods one at a time to my diet. If something hurts to swallow or hurts my stomach later, then I have to stop eating that food. I am supposed to be completely recovered by September.
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dettinger47
May 10, 2019
Thank you for the update, Vickie. Praying for the Lord’s enabling.
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bigskybuckeye
May 10, 2019
David, your text is a rich blessing to me this morning. I am amazed how more and more of my writing serves as a witness to our Father. At the same time, I feel my faith growing and strengthening in ways that I have never imagined.
We live in a sometimes complex world, but as Paul writes, mankind finds ways to mess it up. We must remain diligent prayer warriors!
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dettinger47
May 10, 2019
Well said, Big Sky. Thank you for sharing your insights.
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Introverted Evangelist
May 10, 2019
Amen! If we love Jesus and His Gospel more than the other things in our lives, what else can we share? God bless you.
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dettinger47
May 10, 2019
Thank you so much for commenting. I’ll make sure to visit your site.
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dettinger47
May 10, 2019
Hi Introverted. I just want to let you know that I visited your page and read your “About” section as well as the post “My Struggles with the Anglican Liturgy” and couldn’t find a comments section, so I’ll share a thought or two here. I found your posts quite fascinating and encouraging as my background is entirely different from yours. I grew up Jewish in New York City, came to faith in Jesus at age 28 (am now 61), and consider myself “non-denominational.”
It is amazing to me how God calls His children out of so many different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. But, we all have this in common: We have all believed in the Lord Jesus and are saved (Acts 16:31). Richest blessings upon you, my friend.
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Melissa McLaughlin
May 10, 2019
Such a clear explanation. Thank you for this word of encouragement to keep sharing the good news of Christ, through Biblical truth. And yes, we must keep praying that God will open eyes that formerly could not see. Once upon a time, that was us. May we never give up praying and sharing the gospel. The Holy Spirit does what we cannot!
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dettinger47
May 10, 2019
“Once upon a time, that was us.” So true, Melissa!
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YariGarciaWrites
May 10, 2019
As an ex-new ager, I find a common new age problem among Christians, and that is wanting the EASY WAY. Both don’t want to deal with the unpopularity of going against popular beliefs. Both don’t want the inconvenience of waiting until marriage. Both don’t want to see the uncomfortable parts of life.
There is a fleshly thirst for the easy way.
(Actually, it’s the wide, broad path from Matthew 7:13-15!)
But thankfully, I have also found many Christians such as yourself, who are not afraid to speak up and share the Gospel 🙂 So I thank you and I thank God for that!
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dettinger47
May 10, 2019
Great insights, Yari, and so well expressed. Thank you for your kind words, young lady, and may the Lord bless you richly in the challenging days ahead!
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Kathy Wire
May 10, 2019
Insightful expounding on God’s Word, and thank you for it!
So why share the Gospel? I’m in agreement with you. In addition, God commands us to do so, and we are to be obedient. And, (for those who argue, “If God’s saving them, anyway, why do I need to say anything?”) we receive blessing upon blessing: blessing for being obedient, and blessing for being the conduit through which God speaks (and perhaps saves).
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dettinger47
May 10, 2019
Extremely well said, Kathy!
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ken riddles
May 10, 2019
Great post David.
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dettinger47
May 10, 2019
Thank you, Ken.
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Dee@Sealed in Christ
May 10, 2019
This is a great word, David. And one I needed to hear. Patience isn’t easy for us Westerners, is it? God bless!
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dettinger47
May 10, 2019
So true, Dee.
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Bill Sweeney
May 11, 2019
Great post and great comments, too. I agree with Kathy, we plant seeds even on the “rocks” out of obedience to The Great Commission. After all, I was once a rock head 🙂
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dettinger47
May 11, 2019
Haha! Same here, Bill.
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Robert
May 15, 2020
I think it’s “The” church in Corinth rather than “Che” church in Corinth! Good post though!
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dettinger47
May 15, 2020
Thanks for pointing it out, Robert. I made the change. A bunch of people read that post, I wish someone would have said something earlier.
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Robert
May 15, 2020
It’s ckay 😀
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dettinger47
May 15, 2020
Nice!
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dawnfanshawe
January 25, 2021
Thank you for these thoughts. Don’t you just wish God would simply lift of way more veils??? I do get frustrated seeing folk suffer – wanting to believe, but unable to. I know His ways are higher, and I know He wants them saved more than I do, but…
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dettinger47
January 25, 2021
Well said, Dawn. I share your frustrations!
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