Consider the words of the Apostle Paul:
2 Tim 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
2 Tim 4:15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
2 Tim 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
Paul reflected on those who opposed him, which reveals his troubling times. In the prior verse he spoke of Demas, a backslidden brother. The losses of Paul’s life had mounted toward the end. Yes, there were successes and miracles, but resistance also accompanied his ministry. Paul had to deal with false brothers who sought to destroy revival and discredit his ministry. Opposition was his constant companion. Alexander was an evil man who hated Paul and sought to dismantle the message. Paul said, “The Lord will repay him for what he has done.”
I write today to say that not everyone will embrace this Apostolic Doctrine. Not all will love us. Some will even try to do us evil. Accusations will come regardless of our good intentions. There will be conflict. Jesus said: John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble.” However, our plight must be greater than our personality. We strive to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in that He died; was buried in a borrowed tomb; and rose again on the third day. Offenses will attend to our mission, but they should never stop our witness. Family, friends, and co-workers might even oppose us, but the New Birth experience must be told.
If you are resisted, then you are in good company. The pharisees fought against the Lord Himself. The religious council rebuked and beat Peter and John for healing the lame man. Paul was stoned and left for dead for the sake of the Gospel. The religious sects opposed the early church in every way possible. Even members of the first church turned against one another and caused confusion. There will be hostility when the Truth is involved. We press on because what we are doing is greater than our person. To that end, I offer you this word of determination which I often place as the center of my thought:
Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole