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TENACITY IN EVANGELISM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14
1 Thessalonians 2:2

Acts 16:11-40

 

“…we had suffered before,

and were shamefully entreated…”

 

TENACITY IN EVANGELISM
 
The first major city that Paul preached in before coming to Thessalonica was a place called Philippi. After he cast out an evil spirit from a damsel, he was falsely accused as a troublemaker, beaten and thrown into prison. This was what Paul was referring to about having “suffered before, and were shamefully entreated” (1 Thess 2:2).
 
Yet that experience in no way deterred Paul from continuing his mission to preach the Gospel. If anything, it further emboldened him to persevere on in the work of the Lord. He was not discouraged, but declared that “we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention” (1 Thess 2:2).
 
Such tenacity can come only from God. It was because he understood his calling and purpose that he was able to persevere amid the persecution that he was facing. It was not just in this incident, but all throughout his missionary journeys that the enemies of Christ constantly hounded him and did all that they could to hinder him. He knew the “much contention” (i.e. struggle and conflict) that serving the Lord entailed, for he was once a persecutor himself. Yet, he continued to be bold to preach freely without fear. Why was he able to do so? It was because his confidence was in God and not in himself. He knew that that was what God wanted him to do. Therefore, he would not stop until God told him to.
 
That is why he would later be able to declare in Acts 20:23-24, “bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Being sure of God’s calling enabled him to have the tenacity to persevere and overcome whatever trials he faced.
 
THOUGHT: What discouragements have I faced in the course of witnessing for the Lord?
PRAYER: Father, may Thou embolden me to have the courage to go forth and witness for Thee and not be discouraged by any obstacles that I face.

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