Acts 17 records the travels of Paul through Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. At each place, Paul preaches the Good News. Some believe, some don't. When those that don't believe get offended & begin to make legal trouble for the group, they move on to the next town.
So, is Paul running away? Shouldn't he stay and fight? That's what we do now. We fight for our beliefs, mostly on FaceBook. I see people fighting over their religious beliefs, their political beliefs, their parenting beliefs. Our society has become a public forum where we all get to lay it all out there for our "friends" to see. Here's the problem though - it's not being done in love. Instead, we have become hostile, proud, and easily offended. Maybe we need to get back to Paul's example. He had a mission - to preach the Good News. And he did so. For those who listened, he helped established churches and fellowship groups that they could continue to grow. For those who didn't listen, he walked away.
As Christians, we have a calling to tell others the Good News. We have an opportunity to live out our faith in love. We are not called to force others to believe. So, live your life in love. Speak the truth. Pray for yourself and others. Stop being offended by the choices of others. And above all - stop offending others. I challenge you today to stop and pray before answering a FB post - especially if you are offended by it. Take time to ask God how you should respond.
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