(Read Acts 17:16-21)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” Yesterday I began to tell you about Paul’s experiences in Athens. He made it there before Silas and Timothy, but Paul did not wait on his companions to preach the Gospel in the pagan city. As Paul walked around the city and saw the Temple of Athena (the Parthenon), the Temple of Hephaestus, and Temple of Olympian Zeus (or Olympeion), along with the idols that were seemingly everywhere, the Apostle knew the people of Athens needed Jesus. Paul stood in the middle of the public square of Athens, in the midst of idols and idolaters, and he preached the Gospel of Jesus the Christ without fear.
Several people engaged him in the public square and this led to a debate with a group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus (307 B.C.), that believes personal pleasure to be the greatest good and that the way to attain it is to live modestly, to gain knowledge of the workings of the world and to limit one’s desires. Stoicism is comes from the school of Hellenistic philosophy, which was actually founded right there in Athens. The Stoics taught that destructive emotions resulted from errors in judgment, and that to be a person of moral and intellectual perfection you must control your emotions and never allow yourself to spiral out of control. They believed that by doing so you could be a “sage” who would be immune to misfortune. I am sure these people had never encountered anyone like Paul. Paul was bright, passionate, courageous, and he was preaching something the Athenians had never heard.
When Paul told the philosophers about Jesus and His resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” So, in an attempt to expose Paul, they took him to the high council of the city. Athenians spent a great deal of time discussing the latest ideas and the high council was the place where these ideas were discussed and debated. The philosophers who debated Paul in the public square thought they were hurting Paul by taking him to the high council, but this actually helped Paul’s cause. By getting an opportunity to speak with the high council, Paul could present Christ to the most influential body in the city and the Gospel of Jesus could have the greatest exposure.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. God is not always going to keep you from opposition. I speak to people everyday who love God, who are seeking to please Him, and who make every attempt to walk in accordance with the Word, but they still face challenges. Or should I say, “WE” still face challenges. The point is that while God shields us from many things, He is not going to shield us from every attack. You can love God and live a life that is pleasing to Him, but that does not mean you will not face opposition.
2. You have the Grace (RIGHT NOW) to face all the opposition you encounter. God will never allow you to face something you cannot handle, so if you are are facing it, then you can handle it. Said another way, if you are facing it, then God trusts you with it. When Paul had to debate the philosophers in Athens, I want to make it clear that this was not an ordinary debate. Paul debated average people all the time, but the Athenian philosophers were skilled debaters. They lived for debates. They argued issues every day. This was a big challenge for Paul, but since Paul was facing it, then God had already Graced him to debate and win. The same can be said of you. If you are facing it, then God already gave you the Grace to overcome it! He is not going to prepare you, you are ALREADY prepared!
3. God has a way of making the attacks against you work out for your good. When the enemy had Jesus killed he thought he was winning. But the Bible tells us that if the princes of this world would have known what they were doing, they would have never crucified the Lord of Glory (1 Cor 2:8). When the first drop of Jesus’ blood hit the ground, it sealed satan’s fate. The same happened for Paul. When the philosophers took Paul to the high council, they thought they were hurting him, but they were actually helping him. And the same will happen for you. The more satan attacks you, the more you will grow, develop and become the person God has called you to be. If satan knew any better he would leave you alone!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for preparing me for every fight. I love You and You love me! I sometimes wish I would not have to face opposition, but I know that in this world I will face challenges as I pursue my divine purpose. But I also know that I do not have to face the challenges alone. And since I know You will never allow me to face something I cannot handle, I know that if I am facing it, it is because I can handle it and come out on top. When I face a challenge I remind myself that You trust me with it, and that I am ALREADY ready to face it. I don’t need to get ready, I am ALREADY ready because Your Grace is on me to face everything that comes my way. I am not afraid of man, satan, or any attack. You God are on my side and You are bigger than any enemy. So I face every challenge head-on, knowing that I will come out on top and that it will work for my good. If the devil knew any better he would leave me alone. The more he messes with me, the greater I become in the Kingdom of God! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
