June 5

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city’.” —ACTS 18:9-10

For the Apostle Paul, walking into Corinth would have been like walking into a warzone. Corinth was a port city off the southern Grecian coast, situated on the Isthmus of Corinth. It had two main harbours, flourishing with industry and trade, which precipitated a breeding ground for corruption and crime. Corinth was also dominated by the Temple of Aphrodite, built on a hill overlooking the city. Aphrodite was the goddess of love, and there were a thousand temple prostitutes in the city every evening, plying their trade.

But Paul didn’t come to Corinth to sort out their sexual immorality, nor to denounce the goddess Aphrodite. In 1 Corinthians 2:2, he said, “I resolve to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” He came single-mindedly with the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that he may be the means of bringing Christ to an immoral and corrupt people. But like Christ, he was rejected by his own people. Acts 18:6 says, “The Jews opposed Paul and became abusive. He shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles’.”

Tired, frustrated and discouraged, Paul reacted more than usual to opposition. Though he received support from Christian friends, his groundbreaking support and encouragement came from the Lord, Himself. “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you...”

In our 21st century world, do we get discouraged? Of course, we do. Is the road steep? Yes, it is. Is there antagonism against the Gospel? Definitely. Is the church at the center of our culture or is it marginalized? Marginalized, and will become increasingly more so. It is into this same situation God comes to Paul, as He comes to us today and says, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, for I am with you.” The remarkable thing is that Jesus Christ produces jewels from the worst offenders. No one is beyond saving, and as Christians, we are the vessels He uses to reach them.

In hindsight, Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I came to you in weakness and fear and with much trembling” (1 Corinthians 2:3). But he stayed in Corinth a year and a half, teaching the Gospel and establishing the Church of Jesus Christ. In our witness for Christ, perseverance in the Lord always generates results!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, The message of the Gospel is not only life saving, but life changing. Grant me your strength, courage and discipline to persevere in reaching as many people as You will with the Gospel. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: What measures can I take to ensure perseverance in my witness for Christ?