Are You Willing To Risk Enough To Obey God?
Good Morning Friends,
We can be our own worst enemy sometimes. We can be stubborn like Jonah or we can learn to love like Peter. Our very spirit can be detrimental or conducive to forwarding Christian ministry. And an interesting thing is happening in this regard in the forming of the early church that is instructive for us today as well. Those called Christians were being persecuted by both the Sanhedrin and the Rulers of Rome. Onlookers were amazed at these early Christian’s motivations and behaviors in the face of certain death. For it was not fear of God’s wrath that moved them but belief in Jesus and a love for even their persecutors that overcame their natural instincts. Are You Willing To Risk Enough To Obey God?
Scripture: When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.
Acts 5:27-33 (NRSV)
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath.
John 3:31-36 (NRSV)
Message: In today’s storyline we see the apostles displaying unity and great courage. They are boldly preaching the Gospel despite being warned against it. Those in power wanted to kill them and be rid of the pesky sect. But onlookers, seeing the deeds of followers of Christ, saw that they were living moral lives, taking care of their families, and strangers, and the poor, and relating well to their neighbors. So, persecution made the killers look both unjust and intolerant. It also made the Christian faith look worthy of attention, and good enough so that its adherents would die rather than give it up. The tipping point was love. It had to be love. And today around the world Christians are being persecuted for their faith too. Thousands will die and millions will be persecuted this year. In many nations it is illegal to own a Bible, share your faith, or change your faith. And onlookers will see the persecutors of others as either deliverers or as oppressors in each situation. Our job as Christians is to make sure we deliver on love in the lives of the people we meet each day for that is the only path to peace. Communities of love protect. The important idea to take away from this, I believe, is that belief in Jesus Christ must be accompanied by obedience to His word. One cannot be a disciple of Christ without hearing and heeding His message of loving God and loving our neighbor. In the face of persecution this is the only path of salvation. Here we see that God’s wrath, the controversial bit in today’s scripture, is all about God’s unbelievable love for each human, and God’s total abhorrence for sin. We, like God, should hate the sin but love the sinner…even our enemies and even the one in the mirror.
Pray the laws of our own country not ignore our deepest need to love and be loved. Pray the words of our leaders not be empty air when it come to the greatest love of all. Pray our heritage not be stripped away by those who would outlaw the Spirit of God. Pray we realize that love of God and neighbor is the only thing that will meet our deepest need.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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