Acts 18 records Paul’s first visit to Corinth. This chapter includes a matter that, at first glance, seems odd in a great man of faith as Paul—fear.
While Paul made great progress among the Gentiles, he faced blasphemous opposition from Corinthian Jews. As Paul experienced their ferocity, fear rose in his heart.
One night, he had a vision of Jesus who told him, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking… I am with you… no man will attack you… I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9-10).
Every person who contends for the Lord faces the rage of those who hate God. In the Old Testament, Elijah won an overwhelming victory over the prophets of Baal. But when Queen Jezebel remained set in her idolatry even after the miracle of God, she threatened Elijah’s life. He fled and hid in a cave, convinced he was the only faithful one left in Israel.
Moses, David, John the Baptist had their own bouts with fear. Even Jesus Himself, bearing His true human condition, experienced every human emotion including fear.
In 1517, Martin Luther experienced fear when he faced a hostile religious establishment, seemingly all alone.
Recent years have presented the greatest challenges I have ever faced in my ministry. Fear is a very real thing which I also face.
The question is not whether we have fears, but what we do with them. Does fear master us, or do we master fear? Do we retreat from Satan’s rage, or do we trust our Lord through his rage?
Jesus, who was truly human, knows from experience how fragile we are. He does not leave us alone in our fear but encourages us through it. He came to Paul, not to chastise him for weak faith but to strengthen him and re-confirm His call on Paul’s life. He assured Paul that He was for him, and that he would bear much fruit in Corinth. He had a purpose, and he would fulfill it no matter what. Paul stood firm.
When we stand firm despite our fear, we will also bear much fruit because God is faithful to deliver. God is glorified by the fruit we bear in this life, and we are immortal in this life until we accomplish our purpose.
God is faithful even in our mortality. Martyrs for the faith, such as Stephen, did not die in vain but paved the way for Paul’s conversion and future mission to the Corinthians and many others. Think of Odisha missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, trapped and burned to death by a murderous mob. A terrible death indeed, but how many men and women now serve Christ in Odisha today through their sacrifice and suffering?
Paul, who endured more than his share of suffering, and must have faced fear many times, has written, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).
Paul kept his perspective. He remained close to God who continually encouraged him and gave him hints of greater glory. Even those little hints overwhelmed all the enemy threw at him.
May God encourage each of us through our own struggles with fear in troubled times!
From the Desk of Valson Abraham 