A Gospel Effort

Have you ever thought about the things you know, but don’t believe? Here are a few statements to ponder. Although time keeps progressing, time is also limited. If time weren’t limited, deadlines and projects wouldn’t produce as much stress. Another widely known statement is “money can’t buy happiness,” yet people still chase it as though it is the key to unlock the door to happiness. One more: “I know I will die someday,” but is that thought allowed to weigh in on your daily and weekly decision-making? What you know and believe are a part of the equation of how we draw attention to the Lord for others to see.

Acts 16:11-17:15

In this second missionary journey that Paul led, he came from Philippi with fruitful results. Lydia’s whole house, as well as the jailer’s household, was saved and baptized. Paul’s focus and obedience to the gospel produce an effort that relies on the mindset of Psalm 127:1: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build labor in vain.” Paul left Philipi after being beaten and jailed and then traveled 100 miles, more than likely by foot, to Thessalonica and “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead” (Acts 17:2-3). This is explicitly communicated in the text, but it would have been known to the original readers of Luke’s letter.
We can account for Paul being beaten because of the gospel and question our own focus and belief in the gospel. But when we see more of the picture of his resolve and focus on the gospel, we should be pressed to answer: What effort of our lives proves and expresses that we know and actually believe in the gospel?

Take perpetual steps to understand the message of the gospel as well as the effort produced for the gospel. Then we will be better equipped to follow God’s leading.