THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 5:33-42
“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 attack.
We need to agree with everything, but we shouldn’t be mean or aggressive.
The way of Jesus is not with pressure or force or anger.
God will defend the truth, and the lie will be exposed soon enough.
Even with cults or non-believers, treat them with grace, not cruelty.
The Sanhedrin had the men flogged because they didn’t understand grace.
Let us not flog people we disagree with, either with actions or words.
This is the perfect time to love them, talk with them, pray for them.
There may even be something in what they say we can learn from.
Loving our enemies is not easy, and may even lead to disgrace.
Can we also rejoice when we suffer disgrace in Jesus’s Name (v.41)?
As a Jesus follower, I want to be a joyful, loving, gracious witness.
Nothing can stop God’s grace and love from reclaiming God’s world!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to worry less about defending Your grace and love, and focus more on demonstrating them. Nothing can stop Your grace and love!
God is in charge.
His will be done.
We can not stop what God desires to take place. We can’t fight God. He was and is and always will be victorious. Listen to the Voice whispering, this is the way. Walk in it. In all I say and do, others need to see Christ Jesus in me and I am able to do this if I ‘dress’ myself each day anew with the armour of God to be used for His purpose.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.