Coming to Painful Conclusions
At first brush this passage seems painless. But when God calls, scritpure bears out that it seldom, if ever free of physical and social harm. There is always cost incurred in following Jesus. The spiritual reward is enormous but the earthly risk is evident. Here Paul is called to Macedonia, concluding that God had called them to preach the gospel to the Macedonians. Of course, this is their calling and ours, to preach the gospel, to make disciples. So they went at once. They first situation seems so pleasant as they found women worshiping by a river. There they shared their message and Lydia, a possibly influential person and trader, "opened her heart to respond to Paul's message." Her whole household was baptized.
This was nice and hospitable until Paul, continuing to preach in the area, cast a demon out of a slave girl. Her owners were depending on this demon possessed child for money. Now she was rid of the spirit all because of Paul. The reaction was bad and eventually a crowd turned on Paul and Silas. They were beaten and put in jail where they were placed in an inner cell and shackled. If this were the end of the story how would you feel? A fine howdy-do when all they were doing was obeying God. Well, Paul must be convinced that even though this was not what he expected, God is in control, because in their sorry circumstance he keeps on praying and singing. Again the unexpected as the situation quickly changes and the jailer and his whole family come to “believe in the Lord Jesus” and were saved and baptized. They next day Paul and Silas were released.
Though Paul’s conclusion to preach the gospel was correct, it would be both painful and something to rejoice over. A conclusion that God is calling one to preach the gospel is fraught with risk and possible pain and suffering. But there is rejoicing in the work of the Lord and the blessing it is to His kingdom. Paul would later say in his letters that the crown waiting for him in heaven is the people whom came to Christ during his ministry.
A Christians should be so willing to suffer inconvenience, pain, discomfort and much more, that people may enter the kingdom of heaven. This is difficult if our faith is limited to suffering the inconvenience of a Sunday service or the pain and discomfort of a hard pew. Our faith is to be expressed in the fullness of Christ command to love one another; love your enemy; be a neighbor like the good Samaritan; forgive everyone; be patient; be salt and light; do good works; fully obey Christ; be disciples; make disciples; fish for men; pray continually; hunger for the word of God over the bread of man; be peace makers; keep the law; love the Lord God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength; serve God and serve others; wash feet, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness… In this way Christians will suffer and Christians will rejoice.
Prayer: Lord, may I never shrink from your call for fear of pain and suffer. Instead may it be that I trust You and your Word that it never return void.
Created over 2 years ago
