A Living God Worth Dying For

5/21/25 Bible Thought (Acts 14)

Photo by Rafał Karoń on Unsplash

Paul was a man on mission.

In Acts 14, Paul is continuing his first missionary journey with Barnabas, and they go through a number of cities, eventually ending up in Lystra.

After healing a crippled man there, many of the locals believed that Paul and Barnabas were divine. They cried out, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men” (Acts 14:11).

To this, Paul attempts to restrain them from offering sacrifices by pointing to the true and living God. Not Zeus, or Hermes, but the one who actually created all things.

Paul replies,

“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. ¹⁶ In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. ¹⁷ Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:15-17).

They might have worshipped idols, but Paul and Barnabas worshipped the living God.

The God who had acted in time, sending His Son Jesus Christ to the earth as a sacrifice for sins and then raising Him from the dead again. They served a God who created the world and presently governs it by His providence. They served a God who is gracious and provides even for the needs of the nonbeliever, giving rain and fruitful seasons—a God who is alive.

As with all of Paul’s ministry, there was a mixed response.

While some wanted to worship him and Barnabas, others wanted to destroy them. For shortly after this, angry Jews came from the cities they’d previously visited, and a great crowd ends up dragging Paul out of the city and stoning him.

What a wild turn of events!

The same one who formerly approved of Stephen’s stoning was now being subjected to the very same thing on behalf of the same Lord and same gospel!

Yet, Paul lived to tell the tale.

Not only this, but he lived to continue telling the gospel-tale, going on to other cities and then returning again to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. Paul went back to places filled with persecution and persecutors in order to strengthen the disciples there (Acts 14:22).

Paul’s faith was displayed in that he thought his living God was worth dying for. Even after being stoned in Lystra, he returned there. What courage!

Paul’s heart’s cry was, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

Living meant fruitful labor, a life devoted to Christ. He wasn’t just some occasional friend, but a daily Lord. Yet, dying was the greatest gain because he would get to be with Christ, in the most literal sense.

Many today might claim they’re willing to die for their faith, and yet how few actually live for it? Many don’t take time to pray or to study God’s Word, and they only go to church when they feel like it.

I can hardly imagine someone dying for a God they aren’t willing to live for.

I pray Paul’s example enlivens you today. The Kingdom might be entered into through many tribulations (Acts 14:22) but surely it is well worth it because we will get to be with the One who gave His life for us.

We serve a living God who is worth both living for and dying for.