HEARKEN UNTO GOD – Acts 4:19-20
Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
The religious leaders recognized that God had performed a mighty miracle through Peter and John when they healed the lame man. They understood that all of Jerusalem understood that it was God who was working through these men. The religious leaders knew that if these men continued to preach, they were going to be persuading many to follow Christ. They determined to threaten Peter and John and commanded them not to teach in the name of Jesus.
The same tactic is still being used today by those who hate the name of Christ. There is not much religious liberty to share with others the testimony of Jesus Christ. The world desires to do what is right in their own eyes and as such, they do not want to be convicted of their sins. Furthermore, they do not want you leading others to the saving power of Christ because then they will be in the minority and will not have the power to push their deviant life-style upon others.
Peter and John understood what Christ had done through them. They understood that they were commanded by Christ to preach the gospel. They understood that they had the power of God in their life and that greater was HE that was in them then he that is of this world. The apostles chose to do what was right in the eyes of God. They knew that the religious leaders could drag them into prison any day of the week, but it was more important to them to do what Christ commanded rather than worry about the consequences of obeying Christ.
The world will try to shame you into keeping your Christianity a secret. The world is constantly trying to pass laws that will prevent you from obeying the will of God for your life. However, you need to learn to fear God more than man. You need to be willing to suffer for the cause of Christ. Peter and John were powerful examples for the cause of Christ and God used them to bring thousands to the kingdom of God because they feared God.
You have seen how God has worked in your life. You have studied the scriptures and you understand that God desires that you be the salt and the light. Salt is worthless if it stays in the shaker. Light is worthless if you hide it. Who created this world, God or man? Remember, Jesus taught us to render to God the things that are Gods. If God is the creator, then you have an obligation to obey HIS commands here on this earth. Do not be afraid of what man can do unto you. When you are willing to obey God for doing what is right, God is able to protect you.
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were faced with a difficult decision. Do they obey man and bow down to the gods made of the hands of men or do they obey God and worship only the One true God. They chose to obey God rather than man and God protected them. Daniel was commanded to only worship the king for 30 days. Daniel deliberately disobeyed the commands of man and God saved him from the den of lions.
God has shown HIS power and strength. If you are going to add knowledge to your life, you need to understand that it is God whom you serve and that you need to boldly proclaim the truth of HIS ways to this world. It does not matter what man can do to you, God has already demonstrated HIS ability to protect those who are willing to follow in the way.