Like golf, the way of the cross is perpetual triumph and persistent travail. We shouldn’t think for one moment, if Paul and the early apostles experienced trouble when sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ that we won’t. For some reason we think we can avoid conflict and still honestly and openly share our faith, I don’t think so. The gospel is always a dividing line between those who publicly share their belief and trust in Christ and those who want nothing to do with it.
As For Me, I will Serve God
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
(Joshua 24:15) ESV
Paul continually walked right into the face of adversity in order to fulfill the mission given to him by Christ. From what we read in the book of Acts he was humble but firm in his demeanor. He wanted all and everyone to come to Christ and he did not quit when rebuffed or even worse attacked violently by mobs. I hope most of us today won’t have to deal with violence, but through experience I know first hand we will face hostility and other types of attacks. In my lifetime, I have experienced “cancel culture” before that was ever a term and action of our times. I have been attacked and suffered the negative consequences through corporate politics because of my public profession of faith in Christ. And that was based on what I did in my private life. I didn’t presume that I had a right to evangelize while I was on company time. Folks. we have to decide if we will truly follow Christ or allow ourselves to be silenced or intimidated into shutting up. All of this coming from the “cancel culture” movement that wants us, and our Biblical values, hidden away.
Look at how Paul faced up to these challenges:
19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. 20 But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch of Syria
(Acts 14:19–22) NLT
21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.
This scripture says Paul was left for dead, yet he and Barnabas returned to Antioch. What courage and faith in the face of danger and potential death. As G. Campbell Morgan puts it; “Paul was more than an evangelist, he was also a pastor who realized the importance of subsequent teaching in order to confirm the faith of the new disciples; and of setting them in order in church life. Therefore he returned. Complete devotion to his work.” Will I give up proclaiming Christ in the face of adversity from ungodly attacks? I hope not, and pray for strength every day.
When we read this scripture completely, we learn that despite the travail at the time, when they returned for a visit they discovered triumph for the Word of God, the church not only continued, it was actually growing.
What Is God Calling You To Be Or Do?
God has equipped you and He has equipped me, we aren’t to shirk back because of difficulties. Remember what the Lord said to Gideon?
14 And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” 15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” 16 And the LORD said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”
(Judges 6:14–16) ESV
God will be with you if has called you. He will go before you, behind you, and cover you on all sides. Don’t be fearful, God’s kingdom will not be built on earth if we, His people called by His name, do not standup and fight to take back territory for God.
Truth Told 
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