Pearls to Dogs

Being awoken to the glorious grace and mercy of God was the most prolific thing that has, and will ever, happen to me. I am sure that I am not alone in saying that. Being born anew to the heavenly and divine revelation that comes along with the understanding of my complete and total depravity and His total and encompassing grace and forgiveness will destroy and renew your heart all in the same breath. The realization of His providence in your life and through whom you are kept will both enslave you by the glorious joy of serving His righteous will and comfort you in the knowledge that your very heartbeats were ordained before the foundations of the world were ever crafted. It is no surprise that, after your heart transplant[1] and redemption by His saving grace, you will want to serve Him in all that He so pleases and wills.

This is what I, and all those who claim the regenerative event of Christ, would call love for God. I would so make the claim that the idea of irresistible grace works in more than just the ability to overcome the resistance supplied by the depraved mind of the fallen man. Once your heart has been changed and the heart of flesh pumps the blood of salvation through the veins of the one saved and you can see the work of Jesus Christ for what it is, it is overwhelming the emotional weight it brings to the forefront of your mind. You realize that love, the modern human definition thereof, does not supply justice to the act of the Son on the cross. Paul dedicates an entire section of his letter to the Corinthians in explanation of the expression of love that God dedicates to those who can call themselves children of God[2].

“Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”[3] Biblical love, agape, is completely different than the infatuation that the common, worldly, degenerate would claim when they met another who made them feel a sense of attraction. It is not a warm ball of want buried deep in your core. The unconditional love of God for His elect keeps us within His saving grace despite our shortcomings and our failures. He looks beyond our sin, though it is no excuse to continue in our weakness, and works toward the goodness of those who are called according to His purpose.[4]

So, in response, what do those who love God do in response to His saving grace? The answer to this, is to be obedient to His commands. Some of the most notable of these commands are to place all of our love in God and in people, and all else will flow out of that.[5] Loving God is something that we do through His very sovereign gifting and grace, for if we relied purely on our own love and our own will, as it is so fickle and wavering, we would have to worry about the rooting of our own salvation from day-to-day. To expound, there would be a chance that we could wake up one day filled with doubt and a lack of faith and, therefore, loose our salvation and become an apostate. But, by the glory of God, we are kept to endurance through His saving grace.[6] Loving people, however, flows a multitude of different things we are to do. I, however, want to focus on the one that we will reference as “The Great Commission[7]."

Penn Jillette, an atheist and magician, can be quoted giving the following sentiment: “I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward—and atheists who think people shouldn’t proselytize and who say just leave me alone and keep your religion to yourself—how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that[8]."

We are seeing in this quote from Penn that it is a clear expression of love to share the gospel, to share the knowledge of the saving grace of Christ, to share the location of the door to which one might find way into life everlasting. Love and obedience for God[9] would be to share the gospel, as Christ commissioned us to do. Love for people would be sharing the gospel to bring them to salvation, as Christ commissioned us to do. The idea that is brought forth through the command to go out and make disciples is a dually accountable command that should keep the sharing and expression of the love of God communicated in almost all situations. These limitations are clearly not in times of fear, socially awkward situations, moments when death is definite, or other times that resemble any of those. But what would constitute a moment when sharing the gospel wouldn’t be advised?

Three of the most important, theologically thick, and deeply thought-provoking chapters in the Bible are those in Matthew in which Jesus is giving His Sermon on the Mount.[10] Towards the end, in chapter seven, we find an excerpt shortly after instruction on the judgement and discernment of others in which Jesus says “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces[11]." Usually, in situations where something confusing is mentioned, we will tie it into the context surrounding the verses. Unfortunately, however, we do not find anything fruitfully connecting within the confines of what is around the verse. We, then, take the language the confusing verse uses and find other passages similar in expression and determine what the verse means from that. We can also take into account research on the times and common phrases that would have been around during the time the comment was recorded, as well as the background and nature of the one who made the comment.

One of the closest verse references that you can locate biblically would be something that discusses apostasy in Peter’s second epistle. The reference, in question, is talking about the degenerate returning from whence he came. In explanation, a man who claimed once saved returning to the pit from whence God pulled him.[12] Both of these talk about dogs and pigs and reference how, even though they received the pearl, what is Holy, or things that reference the kingdom of God, they will return back to whence they came and, in some instances, eat you alive in the process. Peter references these, but it is more clearly pronounced in the Proverb as it says, “Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so is a fool who repeats his foolishness.”[13] Even though the dog and the pig accepted the pearl as good, as one would think the regenerate person would, they returned to the mud and to their own vomit from where they were raised from perdition. In essence, one of the reasons we are to refrain from sharing the things of God with dogs and pigs is that it will be rejected as foolishness[14].

In borrowing with references, as this seems to be answering the question provided, what, then, are dogs and pigs? Jesus calls a Canaanite woman a dog when He is teaching a lesson to His disciples about the differences in those whom God loves.[15] She approaches with humility and is met with His response calling her a dog. We do not witness Jesus being a racist, however, as many would have you believe, lest we forget much earlier Jesus approaching a Gentile woman at the well and talking to her as if she were anyone else; He even goes as far as to offer her the same forgiveness that He extends to all[16]. He was even questioned by her as to how He could speak to her when He was a Jew, and she was a Gentile. What we are witnessing, then, is Jesus making the bold statement that it does not matter who someone is before they come to Him, that if they come to Him, they will be given what they seek. The object remains, however, that when referencing dogs, it is often meant as people who did not apply more thought to their general needs other than whims of the flesh, such as the Jews saw the Gentiles. Things of God, the Jew imagined, were not in the hearts of the Gentiles, so it would have been understood by this statement from Jesus that holy and precious sentiments of God were not to be given or shared with those who in which it would fall on deaf ears or hardened hearts.

Do we have any scriptural evidence as to Jesus remaining silent? In all four gospel accounts, there is a record of Jesus being brought before the court, before Pilate, before the Sanhedrin, all to be questioned and accused. As a fulfillment to prophecy in Isaiah[17] He did not respond to them, He maintained His silence[18]. But is this keeping things that are holy from dogs? What would He have said? If He were to answer questions as given to Him by Pilate, He would have deemed Himself innocent as well as the King of the Jews. Pilate, however, would not have been receptive, His hands were already tied by his other responsibilities. He had to keep the Jews happy, he wanted to avoid a riot, and he wanted to maintain a good image to the Roman emperor. What good would it have done other than to make the choice Pilate was to choose even harder than it would have been? In addition, He needed to fulfill the prophecy as set forth in Isaiah to fit all aspects of the Messiah and to leave no question. To answer the question, Jesus’ every last word is holy, and they were kept from being shared with those questioning Him as it would have been an endeavor that was fruitless. If He were to share the pearls of heaven, the Sanhedrin would have only frothed more in hate, Pilate would have suffered more for his own decision, and the words would have been heard by the dead. This is not to say that God cannot change things at any moment, this is simply to suggest that Jesus’ earlier made comment was affirmed in this situation, as well as others that would be similar.

These things are wonderful to learn, truly, and are useful as Scripture[19]. It is also of importance, however, to determine the application and understanding that must be given to the modern life of today’s Christian. To explain, with the culture you typically find on the internet that has sprung from the rapidly growing expression of depravity and cultural normalization of sin it can almost feel as if sharing the gospel online is like dropping a match into deep expanse of infinite space. For instance, the newer Christian, though extremely excited to be obedient to the word and to share the fire that has been lit within them, may share their faith online and be ripped to shreds by the dogs and pigs that spit on the pearl that is divine revelation. Even in places when anonymity provide no protection, it is not culturally normal to see Christians publicly ridiculed and criticized for sharing their faith online. It is even becoming culturally normal for secular entities to attempt to redefine Biblical truths through the lens of the world which creates a confusing stumbling block for the new, less studied Christians. But how can we determine if we are sharing our precious heavenly revelations with swine or if we are planting seeds that God can grow into budding faith?

I want to provide an example of this. When expressing a Christian concern on a public post that all would see, a Wal-Mart profile picture to be more precise, the gospel was shared in order to express distaste over the expression of pride during a period of immense pride toward the sexually immoral. As one would expect, any that noticed the comment and had a different opinion replied, attempting to leave the original, Christian commenter, in ruin. As one could read, the Christian commenter, by the grace of God, defended themselves and the gospel message without devaluing the pearls that were so expressed in the initial word. But the dogs and swine that received the pearls turned on the giver, attempting to rip them to shreds, just as the verse initially expressed. No care was taken by the Christian commenter, of course, and heed was not given to the possible outcome of discourse. Therefore, just as the Bible says, the fools who were already on their way to their own perdition, reacted by spinning on their electronic haunches and trying to bite the hand that fed them the pearl.

So, back to the originally posed query, I do not believe there is any definite equation in determining the fruitfulness of a gospel sharing endeavor. It is unfortunate that these situations do exist, and that the enemy has his grasp so deeply into people that even some of the best resources pointing to Christ can sometimes be used in the spiritual assault of His followers. While the situation is hard to discern with definite intent, I do believe that it can be prayerfully understood, and the will of God dispensed properly through His divine providence with little-to-no understanding on our own part. Our sovereign Father can take any situation meant for the evil of His people and turn it around for the good of Him and His followers[20]. If we go into all situations where the gospel can be shared with this thought in mind, we can be comforted in the knowledge that His strong arm will defend us, guide us, and keep the direction of His will at the forefront of all things that take place. From the flapping of the wings of a bird to the providential maintaining of the rotation of the earth upon an invisible axis, all things will be kept however He so wills to include the sharing of His good news.

When prompted with the question of “what does this mean to you?” a studious Christian responded with “Throwing pearls to dogs means sharing to those who clearly have no wish to hear it for any good reason. My sister does this often. Her and her friends will want to hear about it for the purpose of mocking God. Sharing this with them is like giving to dogs, in this instance, because they only wish to mock and destroy themselves.” Just like what was mentioned earlier, something that was meant for the sharing and glorification of God was turned around by the enemy. But the knowledge and providence of God, though a mystery to us, will turn this around to be used for the good of those whom He calls.

So, what can we take from this? The obedient Christian will want to shout the gospel of God from the rooftops, and yet, there are dogs who would await these well-meaning endeavors in a wanton lust to destroy the sharer. To further encompass the need for obedience, we will need to discern who will have a heart for the acceptance of the gospel of Christ, the pearls of heaven, those things most holy, and those who will reject those pearls, returning to their own vomit and muck after attempting to devour the sharer of those things most precious. We will conclude, then, with the final thought that we should prayerfully and lovingly follow the command of God to go and make disciples while being led by the Holy Spirit in a way that will bring men to the light to His word without loosening our pearls to those one would consider dogs. And if we do mistakenly share what is holy with those who are not we will trust in the providence of God to work all things to the good of those who are called according to His purpose and to His very glory.

Sources

[1] Ezekiel 36:26 [2] John 1:12-13 [3] 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 [4] Romans 8:28 [5] Mark 12:30-31 [6] Psalm 138:8; Ecclesiastes 3:14; Isaiah 46:2-4; 1 Corinthians 4-9; Colossians 3:3-4; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 4:18; 1 Peter 3-5 [7] Matthew 28:19-20 [8] Taylor, Justin; “How Much Do You Have to Hate Somebody to Not Proselytize?” (November, 18th 2009) Accessed July, 13th 2021, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/how-much-do-you-have-to-hate-somebody-to-not-proselytize/ [9] 1 Peter 5:3 [10] Matthew 5, 6, and 7 [11] Matthew 7:6 [12] 2 Peter 2:22 [13] Proverbs 26:11 [14] 1 Corinthians 1:18 [15] Matthew 15:26-27 [16] John 4:1-26 [17] Isaiah 42:2; Isaiah 53:7 [18] Matthew 26:63, 27:12, 27:14; Mark 14:61, 15:5; Luke 23:9; John 19:9, 10. [19] 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [20] Genesis 50:20