Reading: Acts 17-19
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few (Acts 17:10-12). And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized(Acts 18:7-8).
Paul’s travels and ministry were not without struggle. Time after time, Paul’s teachings on the gospel of Jesus Christ and the path to salvation placed him in conflict with local leaders (both Jewish and Gentile). He had been run out of town on more than one occasion, often in fear of his life (Acts 13:50; 14:1-6,19-20; 17:5-10). Paul did not allow the overwhelming opposition to deter him from the mission that Jesus had given him. Instead, he allowed it to push him further afield to an ever-widening audience. And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles (18:5-6).
Every so often, Paul found himself in a place of welcome. A place where people listened to his words with curious minds and open hearts. A place where the populous understood the power of prayer and study and would accept nothing less than God’s truth. It was for these people, the ones that hungered for the Spirit without knowing just what it was they sought, that Paul tirelessly continued.
TIt is easy for Christians today to get discouraged as we attempt to share Christ’s message with those around us. The need is clearly there, but we encounter so many people with hardened hearts and vicious, sharpened tongues that it sometimes seems easier to withdraw from the fray. We tell ourselves that it is enough that we are ready and willing to share God’s love with anyone who comes looking for it and that it is a waste of time to keep putting ourselves out there to face ridicule and derision from all those who openly scoff at the name of Jesus. The problem with this line of thought is that it is self-serving, not God-serving. Jesus did not instruct us to stay home and ‘make ourselves available’; He taught us to go out into the world and live according to His will, spreading His gospel from here to the ends of the earth (Matt. 28:19-20).
Paul did not allow the ugliness of God’s enemies to waylay him from His appointed task, and neither should we. Those who close themselves off and refuse to hear the truth of God’s Word are not hurting us; they are hurting themselves. God’s Love is stronger than their hate, and it is our responsibility to push on toward those eager to receive it.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (I John 4:4).
Thought for Today: Love and hate are not equal and opposing forces; love is Godly, while hate is worldly; hate can never hope to touch God.
Cross Reference: For Acts 17:31: See Ps. 96:13; 98:9.
Word Studies: 17:19 Areopagus = the Athenian council which met on Mars Hill; 17:29 Godhead = the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
Prayer for Staff:Gilbert Palafox • Government Official: Rep. Andrew Ferguson IV (GA) • Country: Rome, Italy • Major Languages: Italian, Various Other Languages • Religious Freedom • Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Let your prayers be praise to the Lord (Ps. 150:6).