Desire To Live

Paul states in this passage that since he preached the whole counsel of God, he is therefore innocent of their blood. What he means is that his proclamation of the gospel included preaching about the grace of God, the love of God, the mercy of God, the forbearance of God, but it also included preaching on man's depravity, judgment of people, wrath of God for those that do not believe, and so on. He was inclined to not leave anything behind in his presentation of the gospel. Therefore, he washed his hands clean regarding the people he preached to. He had laid a burden upon their back, through the preaching of the Scriptures that they could not get rid of unless they repent, turn from sin, and look to Christ for salvation. Basically, what he was saying is that if they do not turn, there will be bloodshed, and it will be theirs if they do not listen to God's good news of salvation through Jesus Christ's redemptive, blood-drenched sacrificial work on the cross. Jesus shed his blood on the cross, taking upon himself the wrath of God so that you don't have to bear that burden. Look unto him!