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THE EVANGELIST’S FRUSTRATION
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27
1 Thessalonians 2:15-16

Acts 4:15-21

 

“Forbidding us to speak…

that they might be saved…”

 

THE EVANGELIST’S FRUSTRATION
 
While evangelism will bring with it fruits and rewards, its results will not always be immediately evident. There are numerous testimonies of missionaries who served faithfully for years, yet saw no fruit in their lifetime. Instead, what they experienced were various trials and challenges, persecutions and hardship.
 
As we serve the Lord and witness for Him, we cannot always expect things to be easy and smooth. Instead, we must be prepared for opposition to the Gospel and persecution against those who would spread and teach it. This will inadvertently result in suffering, as Paul warned, “yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim 3:12).
 
That was what Paul encountered time and again as he embarked on his missionary journeys. Yet what was most frustrating for Paul was not the personal hardship that he faced. He did not complain about the beatings, imprisonments or stoning that he received. He did not decry the hard work that was involved or the time he spent on the road. His main frustration was the fact that the Gospel work was hindered by persecutors. Because Paul was an evangelist with a true heart for God, what was most galling for him was that the persecutors were “forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved” (1 Thess 2:16).
 
Is that our frustration when we go out to evangelise? Or are we more concerned about our personal comforts, pride and safety? Are we really going out to preach for God’s sake that people may enter His kingdom? Or are we doing it for self? If our concern is for the work of the Gospel, then when we face persecution, we know that it is not personal. We will not be easily discouraged. We may be frustrated by the opposition faced and troubled by the hindrances to our evangelism, but our faith is always in Christ. We know that salvation is of God. In His perfect time, He will save whom He will, and no persecutor can stop Him.
 
THOUGHT: Knowing what upsets us reveals where our true heart is.
PRAYER: Father, may Thou grant me the resilience and courage to persevere in my witness for Thee no matter what opposition I face.

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