Consider now, another very different and opposing commission, of a foul nature. There were trouble makers everywhere the ministers of the gospel travelled. Out of petty jealousy and envy, Paul and Silas were followed, harassed, and harangued. Like stink, vile and putrid men were commissioned to follow apostles and disciples, and try to undo, the good that had been done. Matthew Henry says it best:
The persecution that was raised against Paul and Silas at Berea, which forced Paul thence. 1. The Jews at Thessalonica were the mischief-makers at Berea. They had notice that the word of God was preached at Berea (for envy and jealousy bring quick intelligence), and likewise that the Jews there were not so inveterately set against it as they were. They came thither also, to turn the world upside down there, and they stirred up the people, and incensed them against the preachers of the gospel; as if they had such a commission from the prince of darkness to go from place to place to oppose the gospel as the apostles had to go from place to place to preach it.
He continues:
Thus we read before that the Jews of Antioch and Iconium came to Lystra on purpose to incense the people against the apostles, ch. 14:19. See how restless Satan's agents are in their opposition to the gospel of Christ and the salvation of the souls of men. This is an instance of the enmity that is in the serpent's seed against the seed of the woman; and we must not think it strange if persecutors at home extend their rage to stir up persecution abroad, Matthew Henry's Commentary, Acts to Revelation, Volume 6, page 180.
Matthew Henry states, The New Testament is to be examined by the Old. Which brings you and I to the beginning, so that we are enabled to understand the middle and the end, of the story of humanity.
We have God, in the beginning, and he hand crafted a man, and from him (his rib), woman was shaped. Then there is the matter of a talking snake, slithering his way onto the scene to see what trouble he could stir up. Out of envy and jealousy, that creature wanted to put enmity between God and his image bearers, and just like many a silver tongued devil, this original soul sucker, mentally manipulated Eve and Adam, to rebel against God and his commands.
Does this not sound too familiar to you? Is it not the ancient of ancients in all story telling themes?
When mention is made of enmity between Satan's seed and the woman's, we see the children of the Devil and the children of God through Christ as Saviour, at war with one another. I will simplify here because I simply must, since there is absolutely no need to convolute or confuse. I reiterate: The Word of God is SIMPLE, and yet, many a man has made a mess of things, when there was no mess to make.
We have God, and he made all living creatures, and inanimate objects too, by his power. Lucifer is a created being that miserably hated being so, meaning, he preferred to bite the hand that made him, rather than glorify and sing praises to God Almighty. Think with me, how many people behave similarly? Goodness asks that we behave in honourable, compellingly noble ways, and yet, we are like dirty rascals, dumpster diving, and coating our souls in filth with our repugnant attitudes and self-indulgent behaviours, until of course, we are bitten and smited with regret and remorse. Christ purifies and washing us clean: Christ lets us know, there is another way; you can stop sullying yourself. The preachers of the gospel are like deodorizers, and a breath of fresh air, that help us cleanse our ways, and give new life to our bodies and spirits. It is always about souls for those that speak of Christ, compared to the seed of Satan that endlessly want you and I too dirty ourselves, by using our minds and bodies in the most despicable ways.
Turn on your TV and find there every possible message that directly goes against God's will and way. Walk about your town or city, and see flags and symbols erected at schools, churches, shopping centres, that blatantly indicate rebellion against God's commandments. I don't need to be specific, do I? Rather, let us take a look at you, dear one, to see what indicators there are that you have perhaps, purposely, or inadvertently, joined forces with the enemy of your soul:
1. Do you support gay pride, and wave a flag as an encouragement for these poor, disenfranchised, misguided humans?
2. Have you voted for a man or woman that supports the freedom to choose to kill their own offspring in the womb?
3. Are you complacent with euthanasia, otherwise referred to as self-murder?
4. Do you dabble in occult activities? Taro card or palm reading, paying fortune-tellers, seance attendance, ouija board. Do you have lucky charms, and wish people good luck?
5. Are you fornicating? Are you having sex with someone, or many someone's, or living with a person and engaging in intercourse?
6. Do you have sex with someone that has the same genitalia? Meaning man with man, woman with woman?
7. How about pornography? Do you watch TV programs or movies with copulation as, Just part of the story-line or show? Do you watch pornography in secret and whenever you get the chance?
8. What about saying, JESUSSSS, or CHRIST, when you are exasperated?
9. Are you married and fantasying about someone other than your spouse?
10. Are you married and having sex with someone other than your spouse?
11. Do you lie, cheat, steal?
12. Do you get high on drugs?
13. Do you get drunk?
Man alive, I could spend the day asking questions about the sin factors that drag souls away from God when indulged, but I do not want to belabour the point, since the real message is this: There are commissioned workers, and some spread the Good News of the gospel, which is that Jesus Christ is Lord, while others follow closely on their heels, endeavouring to cause upheaval and strife, discord and disease, amongst God's people.
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