When you read and study the New Testament you are not very far into it before discovering that it is one hard serious lesson after another, and with the blessings of God accompanying each one.
This piece is all about another hard but essential lesson.
When Paul gave his powerful testimony to Jesus Christ in Acts 22 the reaction was quite astonishing and a little surprising.
Those who heard him were hurt and what had hurt them was the truth of God.
This glorious testimony is so personal - so Jesus centered - so real - so Jewish.
It points to Jesus - showing what the risen living Jesus can do - and did do in this man's life.
Paul indicated how Jesus Christ can change and transform one of the most violent religious rebels around, but it does not necessarily mean that everyone will want what you share, and that is always a hard lesson to learn.
Rejection is never easy especially when you know that what is being rejected is the truth of God.
Have we not thought that people would be queuing up to receive what we have received from Jesus?That seldom happens.
Nevertheless we continue to share faithfully and lovingly - and testify accurately and objectively - our experiences of Jesus - trusting God to use our words as He chooses.
Their behaviour was bizarre.
They were so touchy, and if you touch touchy people, beware - watch out.
They were closed to God.
They were not interested in what the living God was doing in the world.
God was doing something which did not fit in with their ways - their thinking - their theology.
When God does not fit in with your theology which are you going to reject? In verse 24, we read that Paul is taken away to be examined under torture!Prepare to flog him.
Then, we will find out why the people are really shouting.
As they stretch out Paul to torture him, he asks, "Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?"He has had no trial.
Was what they were about to do right in the sight of their own laws?There are times when we have to speak out courageously and boldly.
That made them stop and consider what they were up to - what they were about to do.
They discover that Paul was not only a Jew - 'a messianic Jew' - but also a Roman - an apostle, prophet, preacher, teacher, writer - and a man who had to face such suffering for the cause of Jesus Christ.
The longer we serve in the front line of the Kingdom of God the harder the lesson can become.
That is something else we have to accept and embrace, and in today's world there are thousands of disciples of Jesus Christ facing this very situation, as they are persecuted and imprisoned for their very real and vibrant faith in the Son of God.
I have been involved in the ministry to the persecuted believers now for some years.
There are many and there are many 'churches' where people do not want to hear about what is going on.
We need to share this burden.
Wherever you are this day, can I ask you to pray for them.
Sandy Shaw