We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.
1 Thessalonians 2:2 NIV
Opposition
In August 1914, Britain declared war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Canada, as a dominion of the British Empire, was automatically bound to take part. The lack of enthusiasm for the war was such that the Borden government imposed conscription through the Military Service Act August 29, 1917. Conscription went into effect January 1, 1918. Besides Quebeckers, who as a whole opposed conscription, many Canadians across the country were also opposed, including anti-imperialists, farmers, unionized workers, the unemployed, religious groups and peace activists.
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We can easily be discouraged in ministry. All we want to do is tell others about Jesus, sharing God’s love in word and deed, but too often the message is spurned and the compassionate acts unappreciated. At this point, some give up and determine it just isn’t worth all the effort. Paul experienced serious opposition when he was in Philippi to start a church. Following a promising start with the conversion of Lydia and the deliverance of a slave girl, Paul and Silas were imprisoned. It would have been easy to pack it in, but they didn’t. They eventually arrived in Thessalonica and established a church there. In writing to that church in 1 Thessalonians 2:2, Paul writes: “We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.” When the going gets tough in your walk with Jesus, when you face opposition for sharing Jesus, keep pressing on. God will always come alongside to help when we are faithful and committed to his calling on our lives.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley