Through Macedonia and Greece

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

April 13, 2021

Through Macedonia and Greece

He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months.

Acts 20:2-3a

Read: Acts 20:1-12

The Christian community in Jerusalem experienced a persecution that eventually would become common throughout the Roman Empire. Essentially, the Christians were ostracized, which resulted in their inability to work and support their families. While on his missionary journeys, Paul raised financial support for the Church in Jerusalem. This is, in part, his reason for making a year-long journey north from Ephesus and along the coast of the Aegean Sea to Corinth.

What Paul was doing was very important to build unity in the Christian church. However, what’s not said about his journey has stood the test of time and has had a huge impact on the world. While on this journey, Paul writes what we know as Second Corinthians. While Paul is in Corinth, he writes what we know as Romans. These two letters of Paul were written while he was living out of a suitcase.

A trip that is described in just a half dozen verses has changed the life of millions of people. Many churches in the last year have been in a holding pattern, waiting for the pandemic to end and for things to return to normal. However, there is no certainty we will ever again experience the way we were. Over and against this tendency to be in a holding pattern, we see a different model from the Apostle Paul. My life has been richly blessed because Paul counted every day, every place, an opportunity to build for the Kingdom of God.

In the letter to the church in Corinth, Paul wrote, “As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-3 (NLT)

My Takeaway: I do not want to ignore God’s kindness. I want to make this day a day of salvation for someone God will bring across my path. Will you join me?

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.