“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him.”
Acts 17:30 (NLT)
Paul did not begin in Athens by preaching past their idol worship. He addressed it first. They had built idols with their own hands and then bowed down to what they had made. But the God who created heaven and earth cannot fit inside something we create. Before Paul could preach Jesus clearly, he had to confront the way they misunderstood God.
Then Paul told them that God is not far from any one of us. For a time, God overlooked their ignorance, but now everything is different because Jesus has come. God has sent the answer. He has made salvation available through the cross, proved Jesus is Lord by raising Him from the dead, and now commands everyone everywhere to repent and turn their whole lives over to Him.
The resurrection split the crowd. Some sneered and rejected the message immediately. Some wanted to hear more. And some of that group believed and joined Paul. That is still what happens when the good news is preached. We are called to share the grace of God with everyone everywhere, but we should not expect everyone to receive it. As 1 Corinthians 9:22 says, Paul found common ground with everyone so that some might be saved.
That same grace is not only for the ones who do not yet believe. It is the same grace we still need as believers. God continues to be patient with our ignorance, failures, and sin as He shapes us into a better reflection of Him. So let’s preach to everyone everywhere, offering the same grace we still rely on, and let’s stay joined with other believers as God patiently forms us into what He created us to be.