JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

April 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your question concerning Matthew 7:6.

This is an analogy Jesus used to show how people who have not had their minds opened by God to receive spiritual understanding will often react when they hear the true Gospel. Put another way, Jesus was teaching His disciples not to try to convert those who are not yet being called (John 6:44). Such people are likely to respond by treating God's truth like dirt. Just as a pig would trample fine pearls into the mud because it doesn't know any better and cannot appreciate such worth, the person whose mind is not yet receptive cannot grasp the awesome value of the truth. To them, the truth would be meaningless and would be discarded. They would just trample it underfoot, so to speak.

While we should never attempt to force God's truth onto any person, we should certainly "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh ... a reason of the hope that is in [us], with meekness and fear [gentleness and respect]" (I Pet. 3:15). In other words, it is right to explain what we believe when someone sincerely asks us. Such interest may indicate that God is opening the person's mind.

Notice how, at another time, Jesus used pearls to express the value of the truth and of God's Kingdom. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matt. 13:45-46). God wants us to treat His truth like a priceless gem.

Whenever we may assist you further with your study of the Bible, we hope you will let us know. It is a pleasure to serve you.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT