2 min. read
I recently preached from a series on Acts about opposition for followers of the Way.
Here I’ll spell out what that opposition might look like.
Why Opposition?
About the only certain promise Jesus gave us if we count the cost and decide to follow him is this: we will face persecution.
If we are authentically living the Way of Jesus, we will face opposition to our ways of life:
Paul and Barnabas strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain faithful with their lives and reminded them that God’s Kingdom can only be entered through opposition. (Acts 14.22)
For these believers, God’s Kingdom was a present reality. It has been breaking into the world ever since Jesus ascended his throne. It will be consummated at the end of time. For now, God is continuing to reconcile the world to himself.
And if we are dramatically coherent with the first followers of the Way, then we are also presently in the Kingdom. We are the ones through whom God is carrying out this reconciling work … but only if we face opposition.
So to live presently in God’s in-breaking Kingdom, we must face opposition.
What Does Opposition Look Like?
Understand that the religious institution of the Church often gets caught up in the wrong kind of opposition. For example, opposing political factions, scientific debates, and the like.
This is not the kind of opposition I’m talking about.
Instead, when we invest in living counter-culturally with our resources and loving our neighbors with all we are, this is where the real opposition comes in.
But don’t worry. It’s not scary! Instead, the most frequent opposition we will face is the word “No.”
If neighbors don’t want to join you in the rhythms of life, they will tell you. If the powers that be are upset by the way you sacrificially give of your resources, they will tell you.
But we don’t fight back. Our battle is not against humanity.
We must seek out the people of peace in our neighborhoods. Join them in the rhythms of life. Invite them into your time, space, life. See what God does.
You’ll still face opposition. But the love of God and neighbor is unstoppable. Opposition happens. But it can’t stop us.
So Tell Me Something
What opposition are you experiencing and how are you loving your neighbors in tangible ways?