Speak

Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. - Acts 18:9-10

    Be not afraid, but speak...for I have much people in this city.

    Because of opposition and persecution Paul would have left Corinth; but the Lord commanded him to stay and preach the gospel, “For I have much people in this city.” This is our encouragement and motivation for preaching the gospel here and everywhere we have the opportunity, because our Lord has chosen to save some of Adam's fallen race. And the gospel of our Lord Jesus, preached by “earthen vessels,” is the means God is pleased to use to bring his people to know and love the Saviour.

    We call on his name because we believe he is the only Lord and Saviour. We believe he is our Redeemer because we heard of him from God's preacher. And God's preacher preached the gospel to us because God sent him to preach that gospel to us (Rom.10:13-15). If you begin this story from the other end, it would be: God chose them; God sent the gospel to them, quickened them and gave them ears to hear; God made them willing to believe and they called on him for mercy and were saved.

    Salvation is of the Lord from its origination to its ultimate perfection. “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.” He began the work and he will perfect it. Yet, every son is a willing, loving, obedient son who would be nowhere else (but the Father's house) for ten million worlds! We are his by choice—His and ours!