Acts 5: 26 Then the
captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they
feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And
when they had brought them, they set them before the council.
And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did
we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have
filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this
Man’s blood on us!”
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and
said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The
God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a
tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right
hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to
Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are
His witnesses to these things, and so also is the
Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
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In a certain
country, the rule was “No proselytizing.” In other words, “Do not preach about
JESUS” or face the consequences. This bothered me because we were on a missions
trip to do exactly that. “LORD what do YOU want me to do?” I asked. Then a way
was made. If the locals asked about my faith, then I could explain what I
believed. One person did, then another. It was all worked out.
- There were times when I was scared to present my belief in JESUS.
- There were times when I felt driven to present how JESUS saved me from eternal death.
- There were times when I saw the opposition to presenting the great news about JESUS.
The church
leaders took a weak position on fear. They worried about what the people
thought so they quietly sneaked the apostles away. Their fear was because of
their murderous actions and their eternally deadly stance on disbelieving JESUS
as Savior. They were full of weak fear.
- GOD wants me to fear not telling people about HIM.
- GOD wants me to fear not following what HE tells me to do.
- GOD wants me to fear not believing in JESUS as my Savior.
When GOD tells me
to do something contrary to what humans say, HE wants me to obey HIM. HIS voice
is that of love and salvation, not harm or pain. Some people do things in the
name of GOD, but are really acting in their own power like those who murdered
JESUS.
GOD sees the
heart and fills it with the desire to speak about HIM at all costs. But this
can only happen to those who believe in JESUS as their Savior. To those, HE
freely gives the HOLY SPIRIT. I am grateful GOD gives me purpose.
- Are you acting on your own desires without consulting GOD?
- Do you think your actions are pleasing to GOD?
- Will you start fearing what GOD says to do over any human thought little by little today?
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