Opportunity & Adversity

1 Corinthians 16:8, "But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."

In Colossians, Paul urged the church to pray God would open doors of opportunity for the gospel to go forward. He saw the open door amoung the Ephesians but he also saw opposition. It is promised, "all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim 3:12). When God's people advance in holiness and faithfulness there will be opposition from the world and the god of this age. When God's people take the gospel to their community their will be opposition. Unfortunately, opposition generally takes the form of persecution.

David saw opposition from Saul and David saw opposition from Michal, his wife. Resentment, bitterness, anger, and misunderstanding creep in quickly and quietly. What the Christian does and thinks is foolishness to the world. Sadly, what the Christians does and thinks can been seen as foolish even by those in their family. This should be our response, "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love" (1 Cor 16:13&14).

In love, watch for what is right and watch for what is wrong. In love, stand firm in the faith for the truth and against error. In love, act like men. In love, be strong.

Father, my love for ease so often keeps me from following You through the doors of opportunity Your provide. Forgive me by the blood of Jesus Christ for not watching and following You. Forgive us, Your Church, for loving comfort more than we love faithfulness. You have such wonderful opportunities for us to bring hope and change to our community and world. You have given us the gospel, the ministry of reconciliation. May we be faithful to proclaim it wherever we go. May I be faithful to proclaim it wherever I go. Teach me what it means, and teach the men of Your church what it means, to be men. Teach us the joys of watching for Your call and watching out for Your truth. Teach us the joys of standing firm in the faith and acting like men. Fill us with the love of Christ.

In Jesus' name
Amen