Acts 14.3-5 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. 4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. 5 There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.
It is known that those who would speak boldly for the Lord experience some who receive with gladness the message, some who are indifferent to the message, and some who persecute the messengers. As God's people we should never shrink back for fear of rejection, but rather by His grace be strengthened in knowing that God's word penetrates the very hearts of the hearers. It is not up to us who believes what is said... it is to us to speak boldly the word of God, for the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am reminded this week of news in our area of an advertisement that says, "Why believe in God? Just be good for goodness sake." Of course this is a humanist ad that believes man is inately good and that man causes all things to be. Many who believe in God are in an uproar.
May I suggest we not be in uproar, but be like the Apostles who followed Christ; "But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: "Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." [Acts 14.14-17 NIV]
Let us in heart be torn in grief and keep reminding those who reject God's Word that He has not left us without His testimony. Of course, those who reject... will continue to reject, but some will be changed in heart to hear the Good News. By shouting, being angry, and focusing on the advertisement we miss the great opportunity to share in love the Grace of God come from heaven to die for mankind's sin and by His resurrection we can have eternal life if we confess the name of Jesus Christ. It is true that the advertisement will have an opposite effect to cause men and women to wonder of God... the harvest is great, but the workers are few.
May God bless you and your reading of His Word.
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2 comments:
WOW! What a way to start this blog off.
I feel we are to afraid of what people will think of us if we share Christ with them. Will they still like me.
I think the question should be will GOD be happy with me if I don't. don't ashamed to share Christ with people. We will all have to give account for what w do here on earth.
Pastor Fred: I must agree with the first commenter -- What a great topic/thread to start off this blog!
When I first heard this news on 630 WMAL while driving into work this week, I was annoyed that atheists were being allowed to publicly push their message, when like attempts by Christians would surely have been stifled.
However, in retrospect, the atheists may not realize it -- but they have invariably opened the way for Christians in our area to speak openly about Christ in response to the message posted.
I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Church in Philippi: “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill…But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” Philippians 1:15-18a
Although the current situation with the atheist message posted on buses/metrorail cars in Washington-DC area transit system differs in that the message being spread is indeed false, I am nonetheless personally convinced that were the Apostle Paul here today (and perhaps even the Lord Jesus Himself), we might well here him (them) remark, "Thanks for bringing up this most important of topics and opening the way to discuss this in public. However, let me share with you more adequately the way of Christ.”
I believe this situation affords us the opportunity to share the gospel, much in the way the Paul used the example of the statue dedicated “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD” as the basis from which to evangelize the Greek philosophers, religious leaders, and teachers at the meeting of the Areopagus, in Athens, as found in Acts 17:16-34. If you read the entire passage, you will see some believed, while others sneered. The same will likely be for those of us who share the true gospel as a result of seeing/hearing about these ridiculous signs. But, as Fred so eloquently put it: “It is not up to us who believes what is said... it is to us to speak boldly the word of God, for the Lord Jesus Christ.” Amen to that! Your brother-in-Christ, Todd
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