The good news faces opposition because our enemy, satan, opposes Jesus’ saving grace. Satan does not want anyone to receive salvation and have their lives changed so they have eternal life. Satan cannot get at God, so he works to destroy the people He has created.
As Saul began to proclaim the good news of Jesus, the Holy Spirit empowered his preaching. Even the Jews in Jews in Damascus could not refute Saul’s claim that Jesus was the Messiah. Saul would now find himself in a spiritual battle as our enemy satan used people to try to stop Paul.
Acts 9:23 After a while, some of the Jews plotted together to kill him. 24 They were watching for him day and night at the city gate so they could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot. [1] Although Saul would have to move on to another city, the seeds of faith would grow in some people’s hearts, making an eternal difference.
God Rescued Saul
Today, as in Saul’s day, satan may try to stop believers as they proclaim the good news of Jesus, but God is on our side. This does not mean we won’t go through trials, but it does mean God is at work all around us in ways we may not realize. As people plotted to stop Saul from preaching about Jesus, God was working through people to rescue him.
Acts 9:25 So, during the night, some of the other believers lowered Saul in a large basket through an opening in the city wall. [2] We can be without fear as we know God is at our side. As we proclaim the message of Jesus, we know He is at work in the hearts of listeners. By faith, we must trust the Lord to lead us to the right person to witness to and away from danger. Relying on God and being led by the Holy Spirit helps us to grow in faith as we see the Lord go before us.
We Are in a Battle, But Don’t Give Up
Saul’s friends lowered him in the basket, which saved his life. Saul would later go on to minister to other people and did not give up. The Lord never tells us that preaching His word would be easy or without opposition. Jesus sent the disciples on a mission to announce the Kingdom of God to towns in Israel, heal the sick and cast out demons. Matthew 10:16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.[3]
Jesus did not candy-coat the opposition we will face as we minister in this world. He urges us to keep going and not give up. People often oppose what they don’t understand, what they have learned to reject, or what they disagree with. Many of the Jews rejected Jesus despite knowing the Messiah would come sometime. Jesus faced opposition with courage and confidence, and as His followers, we can do the same through the power of the Holy Spirit. To learn how the good news faces opposition, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/from-persecutor-to-preacher
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.