Fighting Against

Acts 14:1-3

The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

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No kiddin',
I'm ready to fight

"Boom Boom, Out Go the Lights" written by Little Walter recorded by the Pat Travers Band

Here's the bad news. It's much easier to stand against something than it is to stand for something. All anyone needs to stand against something is to have something to stand against and a forum to let it out.

This is actually why some people prefer the Gospel of John. John's gospel stands against the Jewish leaders of the temple, but since it just says "the Jews" it's easy and lazy to lump everyone together and cry out "when I get her in my sights, boom boom, out go the lights."

The difference is that Paul and Barnabas spoke for something, they spoke for someone, the Lord Jesus Christ. They spoke of his sovereignty. They spoke of his works. They spoke of his grace and peace. They spoke of the wonders and the glory of God.

The temple leaders just said "We've never done it that way before!" and stirred others against the men who bring the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.

It's easy to be against something, it's tougher to be for something. Jesus gives us something to be for, glory be to God.