But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Acts 17:5-6 NKJV
Envious Jews accused the missionaries of turning the world upside down. Paul must have been pleased by the accusation. Paul must have praised God and given thanks that he was found worthy of their accusations. Jesus told Paul he would suffer for the gospel. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12 Jesus did not come to turn the world upside down. Jesus came to turn the world right side up. The Word of God is a sword that separates bone from marrow. It divides the world into camps of good and evil! Jesus did not come to clean up a sinful world. He came to transform it by pulling down the stronghold of evil. In Genesis chapter 3 the Lord told Satan, He (Jesus) shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel. Make no mistake, Jesus is a warrior king! The Jews were envious because people chose to follow Jesus rather than the religious establishment. They chose to obey the Word of God rather than men. The Jews responded by turning to evil men and gathering a mob. They were kindred spirits! The Jews accused the disciples of being disloyal to Rome and worshiping a king other than Cesar. They secretly yearned for a Messiah to free them from Roman oppression. That did not stop them from accusing Paul of the desire that was in their own hearts! Paul was engaging in spiritual warfare. He proclaimed the Word of God in the stronghold of evil. He spoke the truth to a world reeling and listing from sin. Paul revealed that Jesus is the light of the world to a people walking in darkness. Paul was opposed and oppressed everywhere he went. That is because the people of his time walked in the darkness of unbelief and deception. The people of this age are blinded by unbelief and deception as well. Will they oppose and oppress us? Jesus does not want to clean up our sinful world. He wants to transform it by pulling down strongholds in peoples lives. He will not do it by sending angels to preach the gospel. He will not do it by sending angels to engage in spiritual warfare. Jesus wants us to stop playing church and be the church. He wants us to follow Hm not the worldly trendsetters. Jesus wants us to obey Him rather than going along to get along. We can be disciples of Jesus or kindreds spirit of the world. We cannot be both! Will people accuse us of turning the world upside down? Will we praise God and give thanks if they do? Jesus is much more than a warrior king. Jesus is the Lord of Creation! http://www.joyfor2day.com https://twitter.com/JoyFor2day #Joyfor2daydailydevotional
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Louie GarciaJoyfor2day daily devotional goes out over the internet to thousands of people all over the world five days a week
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