“They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.” Acts 5:40b
One cannot read the book of Acts without concluding that trouble and disruption follows the gospel wherever it goes. The support for this statement follows the narrative.
Why would anyone submit their selves to the kind of abuse that followers of Jesus encountered? Why would families risk being torn apart, thrown in prison and executed? Why would mothers risk being separated from their children? Why would Paul go into a peaceful community and preach a message that would add stress to people’s lives, put their lives in danger, strain and in some cases destroy family relationships? We preach a gospel message today in the United States to move people out of stress and trouble. The gospel message preached in Acts moved people into stress and trouble. Why in Acts would they do that?
Because the gospel is worth it! Does the gospel message bring suffering to you? Has it strained your relationship with your parents or your relatives? Has it created trouble for you on the job? Has it put you out of synch with your culture? If it has, the troubles, stress and difficulties you are experiencing are worth it!
I went through 2 very dark years for speaking to an employee about Christ. He became angry with me on an unrelated issue and used my words about Christ to torment me. He called the local ABC affiliate to do an investigative report on me. He filed an EEO complaint against me for discriminating on the basis of religion. I was subject to a congressional inquiry for harassing an employee with religion. I was subject to Union inquiries…equipment at work was vandalized…my car was keyed…a very reputable member of the community who knew the disgruntled employee suggested my life was in danger. I had my “Peter” (denied the Lord 3 times) and “John Mark” (abandoned Paul and Barnabas) moments where I acted cowardly and shamefully. This was a very painful and difficult season in my life.
Was it worth it? In hindsight…yes…absolutely yes. What does this mean when I say yes it was worth it or when I say the gospel is worth it? It means that we gain insight into our Father’s heart like no sermon on earth can impart. It means we gain insight into loving our enemies because God loved us when we were His enemies. When we realize what it is like to be on the receiving end of an enemy’s hatred and are told to love that enemy like God loved us…we understand the incredible love of God toward us.
I saw my life transformed before my own eyes as the difficulties dragged on and as I attempted to bless my enemy daily in prayer. I developed perseverance in my faith. I learned, to an extremely small degree, what it means to share in the sufferings of Christ…what He must have felt…how horrible shame is to the human spirit. I appreciate what converts from Islam and other religions go through in following Christ though I have only experienced a very small fraction of it.
Is the gospel worth the trouble and disruption it brings to our lives? Yes…absolutely yes!
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