Then 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 ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him. (Acts 5:29-32)
Though at first the council sought to destroy these men, Gamaliel reminded them of those who had gone before and come to nought, but unlike those men, Peter and John testified of God and led the church of God in their witness as His disciples. They were not learned in the traditions and teachings of the Pharisees nor did they have the standing and position of the Sadducees, but they had the presence and power of God Almighty and in His strength, and in the end they carried the day.
No matter what trial we face, from those within who seek their own ends, or those without who do not understand the things of God, we must stand strong in the Word and strength of our God. He will carry us through whatever He brings us to do when we seek Him and follow His Word and His will. We may not fully understand what we are facing, nor should we be disobedient to authorities placed over us simply because we do not like what we are told, but if they are in error to their authority and to God we are duty bound to follow God and let Him take care of what may come.
We will certainly experience the consequences of our actions, but we must trust our God, that if we are doing His work and His will, He will take care of all the other things. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and He is always in control of all things, whether He allows them or causes them, nothing takes God by surprise. We need not fear what man may do to us.
And while we are here, God calls His people to holiness and obedience to Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet