The Gospel Stirs Up Trouble

Anticipating or having experienced a negative response to the Gospel did not dictate for the apostle Paul where he would go to share it. Who he was sharing with did not necessitate him adjusting or altering the message he proclaimed it to Jews and Gentiles. The content of the true Gospel is the power of God for salvation for any and all. It needs no adjustments or amending to be made relevant to its audience down to today.

Although the Gospel tells people what they need to hear, it is most often not what they want to hear. As Paul preached in Thessalonica many Jews and Gentiles were saved, but that same message was heard and instead of belief, generated great animosity. With the animosity came persecution targeted at both the messengers and many of the converts.

The truth was maligned as the accusers made false accusations about the loyalty of the Christians to the civil authorities. Such practices by those who reject the Gospel continue to be employed against those who are being faithful in proclaiming the true Gospel down to today. Sad are the ongoing efforts to make the Gospel palatable to the unbeliever by compromising the message to appeal to emotions, felt-needs, or social issues and the like. The power to save is nullified when the message is altered, leaving those who believe what is a false Gospel deceived into thinking they are saved. In reality, they remain destined to eternal destruction. Despite the trouble it may stir up, the Gospel cannot be changed without losing its power.