“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” This verse found in Chapter 16 (v.25) is very telling to both Paul and Silas’ dedication to the Gospel and to what God had intended for them to do. Who in their right mind would be singing and praying aloud at MIDNIGHT after having been severely flogged and thrown into prison! And for what? Verse 19 states, “When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”
How far are WE, as Christians, to go in order to speak the Truth to ALL people? Enough to be osterized in front of our peers? To be made fun of in public? To be beaten and thrown into jail? YES!!! Our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded us to. We are to trust and obey. This is the narrow path that we have chosen when defending our faith and bearing our own crosses. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey EVERYTHING I have COMMANDED you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:18-20)
Acts 16 has shown us that no matter if you are wealthy or poor, full of wisdom or conceited, weak or strong, man or woman, adult or child, the Gospel is to be shared to All. The story of Lydia and her household who was searching for God was satisfied in her quest with Jesus Christ. A pagan jailer who was hardened by years of tough living found transformation in Jesus Christ. How are we being witnesses to others in difficult circumstances of our own lives? As we make our JOURNEY as a church plant, how selective are we today in the people with whom we share the gospel? Remember, Jesus said, “…surely I am with you always…” What do we have to lose with that assurance?
In His Service,
