Good morning!
Text: Acts 16-18; Proverbs 12:1-14
As Paul and his entourage traveled from city to city, they apparently made quite an impression. Of course, it is the power of the Gospel at work – they are just the vessels carrying the Good News and proclaiming it. The response to the Gospel than, as it is now, was not subtle. Some believed, were saved and overjoyed to have received the grace of God. Many, however, are repelled. They don’t just “change the channel,” but they become vociferous and even violent. The Gospel does that. In Thessalonica, a mob gathers and drags a poor fellow named Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting,
“These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also…”
As I read these few words, I have two thoughts: First of all, the world was turned upside down by the enemy. What the Gospel does is turn it right side up. Like the upset applecart, sin dumps the goods out, scatters them, and destroys. The Gospel sets the cart back on it’s wheels and picks up the apples, washes them and puts them back in the cart. The Gospel even has the miracle power to heal any bruises! That said, if one lives in a world of sin and death, when the Gospel shows up, things all go topsy-turvy. Your world gets flipped over!
Second – these words bring a challenge: Am I living my life and proclaiming Jesus such that those outside of the body of Christ would call me a world-changer? Am I having that sort of impact? Do I tip things up on end? I pray that we all do just that!
in Him, Mike