We often assume that when we obey the Lord it is a guarantee that life will go smoothly. It’s actually almost the opposite if you are moving forward to take ground for God and follow His call on your life.
When we take steps for God’s purposes and plans to prevail on earth, it actually invites opposition.
Consider the lives of Peter & Paul in the days of Acts. As they stepped out in obedience to tell others about Christ, they were repeatedly opposed–for obeying God.
We are reliving the days of Acts.
During the time of Peter and Paul in the book of Acts, they saw the Holy Spirit poured out. The disciples were making other disciples.
People were coming to Christ in large numbers. Revival was happening!
But simultaneously, there were large groups of people who rose up to oppose them, threaten them and try to destroy them. Why? Because…
Obedience invites opposition
At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.
But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country (Acts 14:1-6)
What is the takeaway from those scriptures?
- They were so effective a great number believed.
- Jealous Jews, who were losing influence, went around stirring up people and poisoning their minds to create division.
- So Paul and Barnabas “spent considerable time there.” Another version says, they stayed even longer after the Jews stirred up division, speaking boldly for the Lord!
- Signs and wonders were taking place—confirming their work.
- Despite the signs and wonders, the people of the city were divided.
- Only when they learned there was an assassination plot against them did they go to another city.
What took place then is really no different than what is happening in our nation and world now. Pay attention to the season we are in and then consider your own response.
What will you do if faced with a similar backlash?
Cower? Or stand strong and stay longer?
Paul and Barnabas didn’t let the attacks scare them away or shut them up. In fact, they saw it as an invitation to stay longer to share about Christ.
THEY weren’t the ones causing division. It was the jealous Jews who were going around gossiping and intentionally trying to enrage people at Paul & Barnabas.
Scripture says, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you (I Cor 11:18-19).
The Bible warns that there will be divisions or factions among us, but for a purpose.
They ultimately show who is approved by God. Don’t buy into the “we must unify at all cost” argument.
Light does not unify with darkness.
Think about Charlie Kirk and the uproar against him. His talks always caused division. For much the same reason as the division from Paul & Barnabas, because he was boldly sharing the Gospel and truth.
Today there are divisions in the Church with some sticking to their belief that we shouldn’t be involved in “politics.” But that is like saying the Church should be silent and make no impact in the world around it.
We know that isn’t God’s plan!
We see factions in the Republican Party right now where we work. Why? Because we are speaking truth.
Obedience invites opposition.
There are many trying to turn the Republican Party into the UniParty. They are out creating divisions and like the jealous Jews, work to stir division because they don’t want to see the Party be strong in conservative, biblical values. They are creating a watered-down system where liberal voices fit right in.
Don’t let it confuse you when you hear arguments of division. Those causing them will always point the finger.
Pay attention to fruit.
As I was pondering all of this recently, the Lord spoke this word to me:
Take courage and be courageous!
I’ve heard Him say that before, but this time it was different. It is a word for you as well.
First, know that we can “take courage” which is an action.
It means the “state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.“
But to “be courageous” means a decision to do what is right even if it puts us in harm’s way.
But it doesn’t necessarily involve the possibility of physical danger.
It can mean moral courage to take an unpopular stand, such as Atticus Finch did in the classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird” where as a white lawyer stood up for to defend a black man.
Being courageous means we take a stand for what is right because we know it’s the right thing to do!
Those are two different actions. We must TAKE COURAGE, but then BE COURAGEOUS. The first provides the ability to do the second.
You can’t do one without the other.
All through Acts, Peter, Paul and the disciples faced opposition. That took courage and were courageous.
Their obedience invited the opposition.
Obedience invites opposition when we begin to step out to do what God has called us to do. The question is, will we be courageous to continue?
Take courage and be courageous!
