LIFE SCRIPTS

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel.
Acts 14:1‭-‬7 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/act.14.1-7.NIV.

Iconium was a Hellenic city ruled by Greek culture. Unlike the other cities around, the Greek-led cities relied on the voice of the people. Citizens were free to act in accordance to their preferences. So here Paul and Barnabas seemed to be walking on thin ice as they sought to introduce the city to Christ. Interestingly, Iconium would be a springboard of the gospel launch to surrounding areas. Paul’s mission strategy was to ‘hit’ major cities with the word. These cities would then send converted men and women across the hinterlands who would carry the gospel in the process. Their ministry in Iconium was so effective that they gained followers. But on the flipside, agitators opposed to the gospel arose from among both the Jews and Gentiles. And being a community of free citizens, they drove the two out of town. They were down but not yet out. They didn’t stop preaching the gospel. So they regained entry back into the city. They continued sharing the gospel until the agitators drove them off now for good. They then proceeded to Lystra and Derbe. Paul, an apostle sent to the Gentiles seemed not to enjoy favor among the Gentiles. Opposition to the gospel doesn’t necessarily mean that God has abandoned us. There were people who were impacted in Iconium. In fact, these same people might have carried the message to others creating a ripple effect. But this would not have been possible if Paul and Barnabas gave up at the first sign of resistance. We are called into a world like Iconium. A place where we are free to share good news but also where others are free to criticize it at the same time. Yes we will face discouragement. Yes we will face hostility. Yes we will wonder what our efforts amount to. But in the process, lives will be changed as we determine to share the good news every step of the way. People will be transformed as we continue doing good. And God will confirm that He sent as He did with Paul and Barnabas.