“When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.'” – Acts 5:27-29
I realize that today, the call to obey God’s law, rather than man’s, is a dangerous message. Why do you think that is?
Consider this:
- The Christian Fool Syndrome
In every body of believers, there are some Christian fools. They hear a sermon to obey God over man-made morality, and boy, are they excited about going out and stirring it up! So, they go out with the best of intentions to tell those in authority over their lives where they are wrong. They confuse “defiance” and “rebellion” with Godliness, when in most cases, they are simply obnoxious fools. Can’t you picture God looking down from heaven at them, shaking His head, and saying, “Bless their hearts!” - Being led by the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. (This one can really be dangerous.) When God gives us an open door to speak about our faith in Christ, or what God says is right, we need to do it in the Spirit. And yes, there may be repercussions, and yes, there may be objections, and yes, there may be legitimate persecution in doing so. But it’s not because we are acting the fool. It’s because we are obeying God, rather than man, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
So, Christian, seek to be filled with God’s Spirit. Follow His prompting and then leave the results up to God.
