Have you ever wondered what makes some people want to upset what others believe about religion? I’m sure your religion is special to you, but maybe you don’t want to interfere with others. Perhaps you want everyone to have the freedom to believe whatever they are happy with. Do you wonder why there must always be religious conflicts?
There is sometimes very good reason for upsetting what people believe!
When Paul and Barnabas had met with the Jews in Antioch, they had been asked as visitors if they had any message to share with them. (Acts 13:15.) Their religious audience had listened with amazement to Paul telling them that Jesus Christ, the Son of God had been raised from death by God. (Acts 13:34,37.) Paul had gone on to say, “Through Him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses....” (Acts 13:39.)
What a change some of those Jews gladly made! Instead of them going on trying to earn or deserve forgiveness of sin by religious duties, they turned to trust in God’s grace and kindness through Jesus, for their forgiveness. (Galatians 2:16.) “The next Sabbath nearly everyone in the town came to hear the Word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; they disputed what Paul was saying, and insulted him. But Paul and Barnabas spoke out very clearly: ‘We had to speak the Word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.’” (verses 44-46.)
God’s good news was not only for the Jews. (verse 47.) “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honoured the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.” (verse 48.)
Although the Jewish faith was supposed to be belief in the One true God, the Creator, yet here were many Jews rejecting the news that God had kept His promise by sending the Saviour for the world. (John 1:10-13. 3:16-19.) These Jews “stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.” (verse 50.)
Why religious conflicts? People who say they worship God, but who do not want to hear, or obey HIS true message as found in the Holy Bible, (Matthew 7:21-27.) violently resist the truth. They are often unwilling to allow others the freedom to love and obey God through Jesus Christ. Jesus warned His faithful followers of conflicts against them: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33.)
Those following Jesus are following a victorious Leader, and they will overcome with Him. No wonder Paul and the disciples, in the midst of the conflict, “were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” (verse 52.)
Read Acts chapter 13, verses 42-52.
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