Shaking off the Dust

Shaking Off the Dust
Whoever does not receive you
Nor heed your words
As you go out of that house or that city
Shake the dust off your feet
Matthew 10:14

What is the significance of “shaking the dust off the soles of your feet”? To “shake off the dust” is a vivid gesture:
• of “testimony against” ― which is a witness against those were given GOD’s message but rejected it (Mark  6:11, Luke 9:5)
• symbolically announcing GOD’s impending judgment ― since their rejection of the messengers and the message of repentance, cut them off from receiving mercy and salvation (Matt 10:14-15, Luke 10:1-16)
• of renunciation ― formal refusing to associate with further, and rejecting any responsibility for (Acts 18:4-6, Eze 33:6-9, Act 20:26-27)

Under what circumstances should one “shake the dust off your feet”? When a person(s) completely reject The WORD of GOD; often with hostility (aggressively, angrily, or unfriendly), as demonstrated by the following verses:
Job 21:14-15
"They say to GOD, 'Depart from us!
We do not even desire the knowledge of YOUR ways.
'Who is The ALMIGHTY, that we should serve HIM,
And what would we gain if we entreat HIM?'

Isa 30:9-11
For this is a rebellious people, false sons, sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of The LORD; Who say to the seers, "You must not see visions"; And to the prophets, "You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, prophesy illusions. "Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about The Holy ONE of Israel."

Jer 11:21-23
Therefore thus says The LORD concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, saying, "Do not prophesy in the name of The LORD, so that you will not die at our hand"; therefore, thus says The LORD of hosts, "Behold, I am about to punish them! The young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters will die by famine; and a remnant will not be left to them, for I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth — the year of their punishment."

Acts 18:5-6
But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to The WORD, solemnly testifying to the Jews that JESUS was the CHRIST. But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

1 The 2:14-16
For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of GOD in CHRIST JESUS that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed The LORD JESUS and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to GOD, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.

2 Tim 4:3-5
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

What is the instruction for dealing with one who is not openly hostile in their rejection of GOD’s WORD, in fact periodically comes to Church? We have been first called to examine ourselves (Luk 6:41-42, Psa 26:2). Secondly, we are instructed to observe their behavior (Mat 7:15-20, Luk 6:46-45). Finally with gentleness we are called to correct them as demonstrated by 2 Tim 2:24-26:
The LORD's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome
but be kind to all
able to teach
patient when wronged
with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition
if perhaps GOD may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth
and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil
having been held captive by him to do his will

How do you correct someone who opposes GOD’s Truth? Our Beloved LORD GOD tells us:
Mat 18:15-17
"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.  "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED.  "If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Gal 6:1-3
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of CHRIST.

What does it mean in Matthew 18:17 “let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector”? It means to avoid, or do not associate with them (2 The 3:6-7, 2 The 3:14-15, 1 Cor 5:1-13). Sin is like leaven or cancer, it spreads (Gal 5:7-9), and corrupts those who associate with the willful disobedient (1 Cor 15:33).

What is the instruction for dealing with one who causes dissension in the Church? We have been given clear instructions in the following verses:
Rom 16:17-19
Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our LORD CHRIST but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

Tit 3:10-11
Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

2 Jhn 10-11
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

The one who listens to you listens to ME
And the one who rejects you rejects ME
And he who rejects ME
Rejects The One who sent ME
Luke 10:16