Facing Opposition

Facing Opposition

Acts 18:9 "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city"

After successfully preaching the gospel there, Paul had been the focal point of a riot in Thessalonica, causing both the crowd and the city officials to be "thrown into turmoil". The Christians there spirited Paul and Silas away by night, to Berea. The story is repeated here - Paul preaches, the Jews from Thessalonica come to Berea to stir up more trouble, and Paul again leaves town, to Athens, and then to Corinth.

In Corinth trouble once again seems to start, and Paul now takes a stand against his accusers, and tells them enough is enough - he has fulfilled his responsibility to preach to the Jews, and will now preach to the Greeks instead.

At this juncture God tells Paul, don't be afraid, and keep on speaking, don't be silent

Opposition is not a reason to silence our voice, rather, it is probably a sign that we are touching some tender points, and that the enemy feels we are getting too close for comfort.

The Christian message is always going to face opposition. It is radical, it shows up error when the truth is presented, and to accept the gospel requires repentance and change. This all goes squarely against society's way of going along with what feels or seems good.

God tells Joshua, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" - Josh 1:9

So we will go ahead and preach the truth. Some may disagree, some may oppose us. But God says, do not be afraid!