Unfair-Weather Followers – Greg Laurie Devotion – February 3, 2026

Biblical Context

The book of Acts, penned by Luke—the physician and author of the Gospel of Luke—serves as a vital historical account of the early Christian church’s birth and expansion. Written around 60-62 AD, Acts chronicles the dramatic fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission, detailing how the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles and early believers to spread the Gospel “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Luke meticulously recorded the missionary journeys of Peter and Paul, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and the supernatural work of God that accompanied their evangelistic efforts.

Our featured passage from Acts 17:5-6 places us in the city of Thessalonica during Paul’s second missionary journey. After a successful evangelistic campaign in Philippi, Paul, Silas, and Timothy arrived in Thessalonica, a prominent Roman city with a significant Jewish population. For three Sabbaths, Paul reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue, “explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus, whom I preach to you, is the Christ’” (Acts 17:3 nkjv). Some Jews, and a great multitude of devout Greeks, and not a few leading women, were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas. However, the success of the Gospel also stirred up fierce opposition from a faction of the Jews who were not persuaded and became deeply envious of Paul’s influence. This envy culminated in the violent mob action described in our text, illustrating the powerful societal impact and spiritual warfare inherent in spreading authentic New Testament Christianity.

Key Word Study

One of the most striking phrases in Acts 17:6, and central to our devotional today, is the accusation leveled against the early believers: “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” The Greek word translated as “turned the world upside down” is ἀναστατόω (anastatoō). This powerful verb means to “stir up, excite, trouble, upset, disturb,” or literally to “cause to stand up again,” often implying a complete reversal of order or a revolutionary upheaval. It suggests a profound and unsettling disturbance of the existing social, political, and religious order.

In the context of Acts 17, it vividly portrays the radical impact of the Gospel message. The early Christians weren’t merely suggesting a new philosophy; they were proclaiming a new King (Jesus) and a new kingdom that directly challenged the authority of Caesar and the established norms of both Jewish and Roman society. Their faith was not passive; it was an active force that fundamentally altered individual lives and societal structures, causing a dramatic “upside down” transformation wherever it took root.

The Radical Impact of First-Century Believers

Our source material opens with the powerful account from Acts 17:5–6 nkjv, where we read, “But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.’” This accusation, though intended as a condemnation, serves as a monumental testament to the profound influence of early Christian faith.

The central question before us is: Why is it that first-century believers so radically impacted their world? When we consider their circumstances, their influence seems almost impossible by modern standards. As our source reminds us, they didn’t have the cool technology we have today. There were no smartphones, no internet, no global communication networks. They didn’t have well-known Christian authors and performers—no celebrity pastors, no worship bands filling stadiums, no best-selling Christian books. They didn’t have megachurches, with their sophisticated programs and vast resources. They didn’t even have printing presses, meaning every copy of Scripture or Christian teaching had to be painstakingly handwritten and distributed. Yet, despite these apparent disadvantages, a relatively small group of men and women, filled with the Holy Spirit, turned their first-century world on its ear, or “upside down,” as the Jewish leaders put it in Acts 17.

The Power of an “Upside Down” Faith

The Jewish leaders who cried out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too,” certainly intended those words as a criticism of Christians—as a warning to others about them. However, their description inadvertently revealed the seismic impact Jesus’ followers had on the world around them. It’s also quite possible that these very Jewish leaders, through their public outcry, inadvertently aided Christians in their evangelism efforts. Imagine hearing such a bold claim—who wouldn’t be intrigued by the possibility of “turning the world upside down”? This epithet, rather than deterring, might well have drawn curious souls seeking genuine change and purpose.

This accusation highlights that early Christian faith was not a private, personal affair; it was a public, transformative movement that disrupted the status quo and challenged prevailing norms. Their faith was characterized by conviction, courage, and a complete commitment to Christ, which inevitably led to friction with the world around them.

A “Faith-Light” in Contrast

Yet for many believers today, those sights have been lowered considerably. We find ourselves in an era where people are often content to live quiet, unobtrusive Christian lives. They don’t want to kick up too much dust in their walk with Christ. This reluctance to stand out or challenge societal norms stands in stark contrast to the revolutionary spirit of the early church.

Especially in the United States, many believers are surviving on a watered-down, anemic version of Christianity. Our source starkly calls this a “faith-light.” This isn’t the robust, vibrant faith of the apostles; it’s a version designed for comfort, convenience, and minimal resistance. People seem to want to do only what is absolutely necessary, just enough to claim the title of “Christian” without embracing the transformative demands of discipleship.

To put it another way, Jesus has a lot of fair-weather followers today. These are individuals who will identify as Christians when it’s convenient, when it’s easy, or when it’s the popular thing to do. Their faith is conditional, dependent on favorable circumstances. But the moment things get difficult, the moment hardship hits, the moment persecution rears its head, they retreat. They abandon their faith. They prove themselves to be less than true followers, less than real disciples. This lukewarm approach explains a profound lack of spiritual impact in the contemporary church.

The World Turning the Church Upside Down

That certainly would explain why they’re not turning the world upside down. The radical impact of the early church stemmed from their unwillingness to conform to the world. They were counter-cultural, challenging the prevailing systems with the Kingdom of God. Today, however, we often see the opposite. It also would explain why, far too often, the world seems to be turning the church upside down. Instead of the church transforming the world, the world’s values, priorities, and ideologies infiltrate and dilute the church, leaving it indistinguishable and ineffectual.

This is a sobering reality. If our faith is so fragile that it cannot withstand difficulty, it cannot possibly be strong enough to transform the world. If we are retreating from hardship, we are ceding ground to secularism and spiritual darkness. The call of Christ is not for comfort, but for courage; not for convenience, but for commitment.

A Call to Authentic Discipleship

The solution is clear and urgent: Believers today need to get back to Christianity the way it is given to us in the Bible, the way that Jesus proclaimed it, the way the early church lived it—not the watered-down version of today but authentic, New Testament Christianity. This means a return to the foundational truths and radical demands of the Gospel. It means embracing a faith that is active, bold, and unapologetic, even when it means confronting cultural norms or facing opposition.

In short, we need to become disciples of the Lord. The term “disciple” (μαθητής – mathētēs) in the New Testament denotes more than just a believer; it signifies a learner, a follower, one who adheres to the teachings of another. A disciple of Jesus is someone who has committed to following His way of life, imitating His character, and carrying out His mission. This is a deliberate, costly, and ultimately rewarding commitment.

Our source challenges us directly: Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? Jesus asks His people to step out from the multitude, from the fair-weather followers, from the fickle people, to be His true disciples. This is a call to distinction, a separation from the passive and the provisional. It is a summons to radical obedience and unwavering loyalty to Christ above all else.

Yet, let us not be overwhelmed by this call. Jesus never asks more from us than we can give. He knows our weaknesses and promises His strength. Not only will He reward our genuine discipleship, but He will also guide and direct us every step of the way. His presence and power are our constant companions as we strive to live out an authentic, “upside down” faith.

Reflection question: What would bold discipleship look like in your life? Consider specific areas where you might be holding back or compromising, and pray for the courage to step fully into the transformative power of New Testament Christianity.