More encouragement from Paul
Tonight in Bible study we looked at an overview of the book of Acts.I was once again encouraged and challenged by the life and words of Paul, and therefore thought I would share some with you.
"Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 28:31
While on its own this verse is challenging enough - encouraging us to preach the Word boldly - it is the context which brings with it greater significance. This is the final verse in Acts and speaks of how Paul responded having been placed in house arrest.
Picture this: You have been travelling for a long time. Your goal is Rome, the greatest capital of the world as it was known at the time. You face several hills of opposition and mountains of suffering as you preach from town to town, yet you finally make it to your destination. The only catch is that you have been arrested and are forced to stay inside your house for two years.
What do you do?
Well, ordinarially this would be quite a depressing end to a 28 chapter letter. Time to sit at home, enjoying the fact you arent in jail but feeling sorry for yourself as you cannot leave the walls of this particular building to explore your new place of residence?
Once again, though, Paul proves us wrong!
What is encouraging about these final words is that Paul did not give up. He used this time to continue spreading the word of God. And with boldness too. In fact, his prayers did not ask for comfort, just for boldness.
Take heart, my brothers and sisters! Seek too this goal and attitude!
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