Daily Devotional – Friday, April 7, 2023
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Acts 5:29 (NKJV)
The apostles were giving the Jewish leaders a hard time. Jesus’ crucifixion was still fresh in people’s minds. The religious leaders had oppressed the followers of Jesus, including locking them up in prison. This morning, there would be a special meeting to decide the fate of some particularly stubborn members of this new sect.
Did We Not Strictly Command You?
When the council sat, it sent guards to the prison to bring the religious criminals. To the surprise of everyone, the disciples had bolted out of prison mysteriously the previous night. As interrogations were going on, someone brought the report that the inmates were in the temple, preaching!
This time the council of elders changed tact. They sent the guards to summon the disciples without using violence. The high priest resorted to intimidation to silence Christ’s zealous followers. He asked them, “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!” (Acts 5:28).
It is Required to Obey God, Rather than Men
Now, instead of the apostles cowering in fear, they answered the council, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29). No amount of flogging and incarceration would convince Christ’s followers to obey mere human beings (not even the highest religious authority) if that meant disobeying God.
Peter and his colleagues knew that Jesus was the Messiah. They also knew the Israel’s religious leaders had erred in crucifying Jesus. There was no doubt that Jesus had died, resurrected and ascended to heaven. Jesus was the Way, the Truth and the Life. The disciples would rather die than disobey God by not preaching the gospel.
We Ought to Obey God Rather than Men
What a powerful principle to live by! In a society where hero worship is prevalent, and people worship politicians and religious and business leaders, how many would put God first while under pressure to act otherwise? Are there still Christians who subscribe to the uncompromising faith of the early church?
Take a moment to review your attitudes, thoughts, words and actions in the recent past. Are there moments when you chose to obey men rather than God? Have you allowed fear of human beings and desire for praise and exaltation to control your life? Today, determine that you ought to obey God rather than men,
Prayer
Dear God, empower me to obey You rather than human beings, even when I am under pressure.
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Amen!
we ought to obey God out of our love for Him.Not by compulsion.
While reading this devotion the story of Daniel ,Shadrach Meshach Abednego came to my mind, a perfect example of obedience to God rather than man.
The disciples’ obedience was not unlike the courage of Daniel, who refused to stop praying, even when threatened with the lion’s den; or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image under threat of being thrown into the fiery furnace.Daniel 3:16-18
In their lives, these followers of God, like the disciples of Jesus, accepted the cost of discipleship and obedience as a price they were willing to pay and we should emulate the same.
Hallelujah! Indeed, these examples illustrate how we can choose to obey God and not man, despite pressure to behave otherwise. Thank you, Elder.