In the grand scheme, no one person can really change the world. In fact, no person can really make the right choices for any other person. At some point, we have to recognize that people make their own decisions. People can only be influenced so much.
In the grand scheme, God calls us to preach his gospel to everyone. BUT, never does he say to force people to make steps toward God. It is not written that rearing a child in the right way yields a adult who makes all the right choices. There is no proven formula that works across the board for people. Ultimately, people, make their own decisions.
I think, at some point, I need to realize that people don't make (what I perceive to be wrong) decisions because I did something wrong. I need to realize that the people in my life aren't rejecting me when they reject the gospel. If I say something biblical and someone rejects it, they don't reject me, they reject God. Everyone is born with a sinful nature - one that naturally rejects God. Overcoming this nature and following God wholeheartedly, in a sense, doesn't feel natural.
Look at children. Their natural tendency is to gratify themselves. I have a 22 month old niece who is the perfect example of this. She always yells, 'mine!' or picks up all of her toys when other children are around because she doesn't want them to play with them. We're naturally greedy. Sure, at some point, we learn that such behavior is not 'mature' or socially acceptable. BUT, we'd like to take everything for ourselves and leave nothing for others. Deep down, at our core, we're selfish beings.
This is a sticky topic in my mind. Who is to say that the advice I give is totally correct, sound advice? If I believe it is sound, biblical advice, and someone rejects it, then they're rejecting God, straight up. If it's not biblical, then they're rejecting me. But, since when does it matter to God if someone rejects me?
Point: Often times, it's not me that is being rejected - it's God.
