Day 21: Acts 14:1-28

In our reading today we see Paul and Barnabas, faithful Christian workers who have “sold out” for the cause of Christ. As I go through the account, I find myself becoming almost tired at even reading everything they did. It’s quite amazing! Here is a brief summary of their trip: Iconium–Jewish synagogue: evangelism to both Jews and Greek, converting many, signs and wonders in evidence, also persecution; Lystra–preaching, miraculous healing of crippled man, Paul stoned and left for dead, Paul rose up and returned into city Derbe–preaching, then returned to Lystra, and Iconium Also travelled to and preached in Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia, before returning to Antioch from which they had begun their journey. Included in their teaching was that the disciples would have to endure tribulation to enter into the Kingdom. This message they not only taught, but lived. How amazing to read that after being left for dead, Paul “rose up” and entered back into the city, indicating he did not fear persecution, nor would it deter him from his purpose. Paul was focused on the mission of reaching people with the gospel. Perhaps the words of Jesus in John 15:20 carried them: “Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” We do well to remember that there is great purpose in our Christian goal to reach others. They will often not appreciate or value what it is we have to offer. There was once a time when it could have been we ourselves with those same opinions. It only takes one revelation to change a person’s mindset, values, or lifestyle. It was the martyrdom of Stephen (of which Saul was guilty) that led up to an encounter with the Christ, that changed Saul into Paul. Paul understood why persecution takes place. It is because the persecutors do not understand! Scripture declares that it is knowing the TRUTH that has the power to set us (and others) free. We must declare the truth. I remember counseling a young man who was being very badly treated, simply because Christians did not understand the signs and wonders that God was doing in his life. Untrue statements were made about who he was, what he believed, and what he represented. All of this from people that had never met or talked with him, even once.  He was distressed! “They don’t even know me”, he complained. I took him to Matthew 5 that tells us when we are reviled, persecuted, or lied about, that we are “blessed”!  I admit it doesn’t feel like a blessing, but that’s what the Word of God declares about it. It goes on to say that there is a reward laid up for us in glory as a result of this mistreatment.  In other words, those “persecutors”, are gaining for you a greater weight of glory than you could NOT have earned for yourself. You will enjoy for eternity what they have gotten for you that you could not have gotten on your own. You could, if you felt so inclined, offer to thank them for this great blessing they have achieved for your continuing benefit…but they likely would not understand 🙂 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18) My friends, do not think it strange, these fiery trials that come against you.  (I Peter 4:12) We do what we do because of who we are. We can do no less. The world is looking for something that is real. How can we not deliver to them the truth of the good news? It is up to Holy Spirit to reveal that truth once we have spoken it. And He does that in the most amazing ways. The LORD is on my side, and I am not afraid of what others can do to me. (Psalm 118:6) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)