SCRIPTURE: Acts 5:33-42
“Leave these men alone… if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.” (Acts 5:38)
This is wise advice, but it is also wise advice for Jesus followers.
When new movements or religious ideas arise, many Christians go on the offensive.
This does not mean we need to agree with everything, but don’t be mean or aggressive.
The way of Jesus is not with the political or military pressure or force.
God will defend the truth, and the lie will be exposed soon enough.
My guess is that most of us as believers belong to traditions that at one time were viewed negatively.
Even with cults or non-believers, treat them with grace not with cruelty.
The Sanhedrin had the men flogged, because they did not understand God’s grace.
Let us not flog people we disagree with, but love them, talk with them, pray for them.
And there may even be something in what they say we can learn from.
And maybe this grace response will lead us all closer to Jesus, our Gracious Leader.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help us to actually believe that God will defend the truth of Your grace, and instead let us focus on demonstrating it.