Paul and Barnabas moved into Iconium, what is known today as Konya, Turkey, and preached the Gospel following their established pattern of visiting the synagogues first. The good news is many, both Jews and Gentiles, came to believe the Gospel. The bad news is that Paul and Barnabas met much opposition. The unbelievers began to harass and poison the minds of the people against the missionaries. What was the reaction of the missionaries? They stayed for a long time!
Many a times, we think that opposition means that we have to give up and move on. But both Paul and Barnabas continued the work of the kingdom under the stressful circumstances of opposition. I should be more resilient in my kingdom work. I should not give up that easily my witness after meeting opposition. Opposition must be seen as part and parcel of the witnessing endeavor and I must learn to endure it. Moreover, Paul and Barnabas did not lose their boldness as a result of opposition, but continued to speak boldly for the Lord.
The Lord "bore witness to the word of his grace." In the midst of opposition, God placed his stamp of approval upon the work of the missionaries by "granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands." Signs and wonders were a demonstration of God's power in their midst. It was a way of telling the people that God was behind every word the missionaries spoke to them. There should be a sense of expectation in my life that God will make himself known to people backing up my witness. I must believe that God works in people's lives to affirm my witness to them. I must believe that opposition does not hinder my God from working among unbelievers.
A question worth pondering in kingdom work is: How much risk should we take for the kingdom? For sure, we see the apostles living in dangerous situations all the time, but it seems there is a limit. When the opposition amounted to a plot of abuse and murder, they decided to move on. We are called to give our lives for the cause of the Gospel, but we should not seek to be martyrs. Living in danger is one thing, but the apostles thought it wiser to flee to stay alive and be able to preach somewhere else. There is no shame in fleeing from death if given such an opportunity.
Father, grant me boldness and courage to be a witness for you even in the midst of opposition. Help me endure opposition to give glory to your name. May I have the expectation to see it at work in people's lives when I witness to them. Teach me to take risks for your kingdom. Amen.
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