Passage Read: Acts 14-15
Meditation Verse: 14:15
Thought
Paul wasn't gentle at all when dealing with this situation. The people thought they were Zeus and Hermes, and were ready to make sacrifices to them, even after they had preached about Jesus! It's like they didn't hear what Paul had been saying, so when they came with sacrifices, Paul told them he was preaching that they turn from such useless things and worship the true God who made heaven and earth. He wasn't concerned about insulting their religion; he stomped it to the ground! He had come to proclaim the truth, not to debate which religion was better or more likely true. He knew who was the true God and that all others were false!
Application
There is no need to argue about religions. There is only one true God, which means all other religions are false and worthless. The Gospel comes to restore men to the truth and to the true God. So I don't need to be afraid of insulting other religions, but I need to point that out, in love for them that they would recognize the truth and the basic implications of the Gospel. That they would be set free. I need to know that for myself. If God is not the one true God, then there's no point in evangelizing the nations. I need not feel guilty that the Gospel comes to overthrow all false religions. That is a true claim! There is no "my religion and your religion." There is only one version of reality.