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For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life (2 Corinthians 1:8).

In Acts 19, Luke vividly captures for us some of the Apostle Paul’s unpleasant experiences as he went about preaching the Gospel. He talked about his personal risks and imprisonments, the riot orchestrated by Demetrius the silversmith, and, in the 22nd chapter, how a commander ordered that he be taken into the barracks to be flogged and interrogated.

No wonder Paul himself recounts, “…in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft” (2 Corinthians 11:23). In his first epistle to the Corinthian church, Paul recalls his experience at Ephesus and said, “…I have fought with beasts at Ephesus…” (1 Corinthians 15:32). In his second epistle, he narrated how in Asia, it became so bad that he felt he and his companions were on death row, but graciously had supernatural deliverance (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia

This same Gospel has been committed to your trust; will you take it lightly or put your all into it? Would you stick out your neck to preach the Gospel to your co-workers or business associates even if it means losing your job or losing out on business contracts you’ve so much desired?

How about your family members who aren’t yet born again? Would you go all out for them, or remain quiet to avoid being hated, disliked or ostracized? There’re those who for the fear of losing the relationships they’ve built, will never witness to their friends. How sad!

You’re a witness to your generation, and the Lord will hold you responsible as their witness. You’ve got to be committed to bringing salvation to those in your world. What you’re into isn’t about saving your head; it’s not about the comforts of life or the benefits you get out of it, no! You’re not into this for what any man can give you, but for the honour and glory of Christ the Lord.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, there’re no limits to how far I’m willing to go for this priceless Gospel that has been committed to my trust. I preach it boldly in the power of the Spirit, delivering many from the kingdom of darkness into the glorious liberty of the sons of God, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
2 Corinthians 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 9:16-17