Acts 17:1-9 NKJV

[1] Now, when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. [2] Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, [3] 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.” [4] And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. [5] 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. [6] 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. [7] Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.” [8] And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. [9] So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

In the three plus weeks Paul and Silas were there, many of the people of Thessalonica came to believe in Jesus. Some of them willingly chose to put their faith in a message of hope through Christ, knowing that there could be consequences for their decisions. Those who received the apostles and believed weren't met with the warmest of welcomes by their community. A new believer named Jason provided housing for the apostles while they were there. His newfound faith and generosity came at the cost of posting a bond for his beliefs.

Oftentimes, we confuse salvation with faith. Salvation is a gift provided by Christ for those who believe. Faith, however, is anything but free. It comes at a cost. Faith sometimes requires sacrifice, discomfort, and disruptions to what we have always known. Jason's faith brought a violent mob to his doorstep and forced him to post a monetary bond to protect the apostles and his family.

If you were to tell me, without any prior knowledge of Jesus, that trusting Him would potentially cost me money, freedom, or my life, faith would be a hard sell. No one in their right mind would forfeit peace for faith. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit doesn't rely on our common sense or our understanding. For the things I have lost, I wouldn't trade any of it for the relationship I have with Jesus. If I knew that my beliefs would cost me everything tomorrow, I would still choose Him today. What doesn't make sense to the world makes perfect sense to a believer. If you know, you know.