FRIDAY February 3, 2023
Obey God Rather Than Man
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Acts 5:29-32
There it is. The Apostles’ reply to the Jewish council––they would rather obey God than man. Mark that in your Bibles! Notice, in their defense, they still used the name of Jesus! They gave further witness of His Resurrection. They spoke truth to the high priest and those with him, letting them know they were murderers. They were responsible for Jesus’ death. Yet Peter and the other Apostles extended the grace of God to the Sanhedrin––to the Jewish leaders who hated them.
Although persecuted, the Apostles used this opportunity to share with them that God wanted to forgive, cleanse, and wash them if they would only turn to Him. Jesus was both Prince and Savior! The Apostles plainly and simply gave Israel’s leadership the way of salvation. Who can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? Only those who obey Him.
After listening to the words of Peter and the Apostles, the religious leaders’ hearts remained unmoved. Their hearts were so hard toward the Savior, as hard as stone! There was no conviction and no remorse for the things they had done to Jesus.
Here is my answer to Caesar––those in authority. When it comes to the things of God, I would rather obey God than man. They can take me to jail, shoot me, or even cut me in pieces, and every little piece will love them back. It does not matter who my enemy is. I am called, like the Apostles, to show God’s love to them––to preach the Gospel.
I preached as never sure to preach again,
and as a dying man to dying men.
~Richard Baxter~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
