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Oct 22, 2025 06:00am

Opposition Ahead

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There are two doors. Both are open. On the map of the blueprint of the building, the one to the left leads straight to a vent to the outside of the underground station. The door to the right leads further into the station, with several tunnels splitting off and a few large rooms connected to each one.

Which do you choose?

I guess that depends on your mission.

In a video game, if you took the left, sure, you’d get out, but you wouldn’t have completed your mission. There are people being held hostage, and you were sent in to rescue them. You have the tools and necessary equipment needed to bring them to safety.

So, you choose right. And you quickly realize, you’re not alone.

Enemy forces began attacking from all angles. They come out from those tunnels, the balcony, and around every turn you make.

The enemies’ goal is to seek you out and destroy you—to keep you from accomplishing this rescue.

But that won’t stop you. Will it?

1 Corinthians 16:8–9
“In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.”

Paul had a mission—there were people who needed to be rescued from their sins. They needed to know the truth about Jesus. And opportunities were opening up for him to be able to reach them.

But something so treasured, so valuable, must be heavily guarded.

Paul knew there would be opposition. He knew there would be people who would stop at nothing to keep him from accomplishing his mission. Because Paul was once just like them.

His name had been Saul, well known for having his sights set on destroying the followers of Jesus. He was a persecutor of believers. But because of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Saul was changed. When he learned the truth, he began studying and learning as much as he could about Jesus and knew what his mission and purpose were.

Go, tell, disciple.

He had a message for these people at Ephesus: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever would believe in Him would not perish but live eternally.” (John 3:16)

He knew there was great opposition. He knew there were people ready to attack and stop him at any cost.

And he still chose to go after those people—to accomplish his mission.

Why?

Because Jesus chose the same.

There was great opposition against Him. The Pharisees were determined to get rid of Him and brought about false accusations that had the crowds turning on Jesus. Even one of His own betrayed Him. But that didn’t keep Jesus from accomplishing His mission.

There were people that needed to be saved. And there was only one way—the cross. At Calvary, Christ took on the sins of the world, suffering and pouring out His blood to be the ultimate and perfect sacrifice that was needed.

Every step, every breath, every moment on the way to and upon the cross was agony for Him. And yet, He chose that.

For you.

For me.

For all men and women.

For God so loved…

Don’t let the threat of opposition deter you from fulfilling the purpose God has given you. We have a mission. There are people who need to be rescued. We have everything we need—fully equipped for the work God gave us to do (2 Timothy 3:17).

There may be an easier road, but the mission is not yet over.

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God has saved you for a purpose. He desires to use you in His great mission. Are you ready?

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