LIFE SCRIPTS

1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they 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 innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. 12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.” 14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.
Acts 18:1‭-‬17 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/act.18.1-17.NIV.

Paul had just left Athens and had come to Corinth. There he united with a unique couple, Priscilla and Aquila who were partners with him in trade. He worked with them as he stayed with them. He made himself practically useful as he was hosted. During the Sabbath, he would go to the synagogue to reason with the Jews. In such an intellectual society, Paul employed reasoning to draw people to Christ. He chose to be relevant. Am I relevant wherever I am? The Holy Spirit will guide us as we ask Him the best way to reach out to those around us. But reaching out with the good news doesn’t guarantee ‘safety’. Suddenly the Jews ganged up to confront Paul who seemed to have reached his end. In verse 6, he declared that their blood will be in their heads as he left them. But was God’s desire that he leaves because of hardships? Well in verse 9, God appears to him in a vision informing him to keep on sharing the good news. He assures him of safety and that there were remnants who also believe in Christ. Elijah the prophet was in such a situation…he had used all his energy to proclaim the true God, Jehovah…he had called fire from heaven in the presence of the Prophets of Baal. A point came when he felt a harsh opposition from Jezebel. He had no choice but to run away and complain to God. But God reassured him that there were many who still believed in Him. Times will come when we’ll feel down and out. These are times we need not listen to our inner voices because they are coming out of a weary heart. Instead, in these times, we should turn towards God and His word to know what He’s saying. So according to God’s word, Paul stayed for 18 months in Corinth preaching the gospel yet no one attacked him. In fact, when it was the ripe time for him to leave, a mob descended in him and brought him before the local leader. However, he didn’t lend an ear to their accusations because they were of a religious origin. So these mobsters instead descended upon Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him up in front of the proconsul. God’s word over Paul’s time in Corinth was sure. He had given him a window of opportunity to share the gospel after which he would need to leave. We all have windows of opportunity to do God’s will. We may veer away from Him time and again but He still graciously allows us back to be part of His plan. However, we must redeem time and do what we’re supposed to do for that window might not remain open indefinitely.