Daily Devotional for Wednesday, March 15th

The Audience for the Sermon

“And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean,” Acts 17:19, 20.

Having real conversations with an honest and free exchange of ideas seems like a relic of the past sometimes. If one person asks another to explain their position, it is often seen as an assault. Sometimes that might be true because not every questioner has honest motives. However, in most cases, people ask questions because they do not understand.
In our story, the Epicureans and Stoics had pulled Paul aside seeking an explanation of this thing called Christianity. They thought Paul was a “babbler” (verse 18). They were not saying Paul was crazy; they were saying Paul’s beliefs were hobbled together in a nonsensical way.
What do you do when others ask you for an explanation of your faith? Do you bow up and react defensively, or do you try providing an answer? While it is true that some hide attacks in questions, it is also that true many are seriously seeking answers.
It is our mission to share Jesus with others. It may be uncomfortable, and it might even seem painful. Nevertheless, you are here to live for Jesus and tell others about Him. You are to always be ready to give an answer. God said that in 1 Peter 3:15. Are you? Are you willing? Or will you hunker down and complain about how mean people are to Christians? Trust me, what they do to you will never compare to what they did to our Lord.

JUST A THOUGHT: Being challenged to explain our faith is not persecution.

Wally Fry