Today’s reading is Acts 27:1-28:31.

Acts 28:22 is a surprising verse. “But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

These Jews were talking about Christ’s church. Even they had heard rumors about it and new it was spoken against in many places. What intrigues me is Paul doesn’t get upset about this. He doesn’t rebuke Christians for messing up because the church was spoken against. He doesn’t even blame Christians. The fact is, he expected the church to be spoken against. 

Now don’t misunderstand me. I’m sure there are too many examples to name in which Christians have behaved inappropriately and caused slander against the church and Jesus. That is not to be tolerated. However, we need to understand that when we are doing Jesus’ will, folks are going to speak against us. When people mock Christians, when news anchors repudiate us, when national stories cause people to make fun of us, our response should not necessarily be, “Oh woe is me, what are we doing wrong?” Our response should be to praise God that we are considered worthy to suffer for His cause. 

In fact, if Christ’s church is not being spoken against, that probably means it has quit doing what it should. No, I’m not saying we should go out and do things to purposefully receive verbal persecution. I’m just saying when we do what is right, stand for what is right, teach what is right, then those who differ will not take it kindly. They will speak against us. We just need to expect it.

***Question: How do you maintain faith and conviction in the face of verbal persecution?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC