Acts 18:5-6 “When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to Jews that Jesus was the Christ. But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’”

What a shock! Once again Paul got himself kicked out of a place for telling people that Jesus was the Savior God promised. At least this time no one tried to kill him. In spite of this repeated pattern of rejection and opposition, Paul kept on speaking, because that is the only way people were going to believe and be saved.

I don’t have to tell you that there are still certain Christian truths people don’t want to hear. Talk about them, and you will be opposed. Some of them may even surprise you. When I did Dan and Betty’s wedding years ago, one of their relatives was quite upset that I suggested the couple might be sinners who need a Savior in the wedding sermon. I didn’t call them out for any specific sins. I just mentioned that marriage can be hard because we are all sinners, and aren’t we thankful that we have Jesus to forgive us and help us along the way. But I was a horrible person for saying it in the wedding.

When my friend Pastor Dave conducted a funeral for a man who died of AIDS, several people in attendance got up and walked out when he mentioned that the dead man had repented of the sexual sins which had led to the disease in the first place. The message wasn’t a diatribe against same sex relationships or promiscuity, though it made reference to these sins. It was mostly about the gospel of God’s grace. But Dave and his congregation almost lost the church building they had been renting over the issue as well.

Going door to door in the town where I now live, I have been opposed and rejected for believing that the Bible is a reliable source of information, for believing in the traditional definition of marriage, for believing that people can’t save themselves by living a good life. This is neither unique nor new. It isn’t an excuse to stop speaking, either. People need to hear the gospel, whether they like it or not. Just like I do. Aren’t we glad we have Jesus to forgive us and help us along the way?