These [Paul and Silas] have turned the world upside down have come here. (Acts 17:6 – NKJV)
It was the Jewish people of Thessalonica who witnessed the work of Paul and Silas and came to the conclusion that they “turned the world upside down.” They called Paul a fool and a madman, the same thing they said about the prophet Hosea (9:7). But these people were not looking at the work these people were doing with the eyes of faith. They were looking through the eyes of the flesh and from an earthly perspective, Paul and Silas were indeed turning the world upside down. But when viewed through the eyes of faith, when viewed from a heavenly and eternal perspective, what they were actually doing was turning the world right-side up.
Now the gospel makes no sense to the watching world. So, when we are living out its truths, the eyes of the flesh see it as turning the world upside down. But what is actually happening is we are getting things back in order, the order God ordained from the foundation of creation. You see in the gospel social barriers are broken down and hearts are set free to begin beating for the One who created all things good. Paul and Silas were returning God’s order to this world by saving souls and changing lives for Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)
The gospel turns the corrupted systems of this world right-side up. Because the ground is level at the foot of the cross, every single person has dignity, value, and worth. No now is more valuable than anyone else. We are all one in Christ. None of us are needed, but all of us are wanted by Jesus to share His love light in a dark and desperate world. Can it be said about you what was said about Paul and Silas, “They turned the world upside down?” God wants to use you to expand the cause of His Kingdom in this world. He delights in giving you opportunities to point others to Him. When you do this, you will be fulfilling your divine destiny and you will be used by God to turn a sin-stained, upside-down world, right-side up. Let that truth set you free to live with freedom, joy, and faithfulness to Jesus, regardless of the cost or circumstance.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 