Acts 4:18-22
Then they called them (Peter & John) in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
There's a lot in these few verses, but I want to focus on the bold sections. They are significant. They very closely match what is going on in our society, which only promises to increase persecutions for God's people and all who do right. Not all persecution comes in the form of arrests and torture. Sometimes it it shows up in more subtle ways like censorship and slander. At a time when media giants like Google announce that they will increase censorship (especially against anyone who speaks the truth regarding the sham of global warming/climate change) and Facebook actively attacks the mental well-being of your children, many of the persecutions you are about to face over the coming months will not be from law enforcement dragging you off to jail on trumped up charges.
What is your response going to be in these dark times? Will you just go with the flow so life doesn't get harder than you want it to be? Or will you stand up and speak the truth louder and with more passion than ever?
Life is all about choices. The choices you make over the coming months may be some of the most important of your life. Are you prepared to make good choices no matter what the consequences may be to you personally?
This is the decision Peter and John were faced with in the days following Jesus' ascension into heaven and Pentecost. Were they going to speak the truth in a society where political leaders didn't want to hear it? Would they continue to speak the truth in the face of open persecution?
The answer is "Yes". They spoke the truth about Jesus' death and resurrection at every opportunity, public and private. In fact, they actually sought out opportunities to preach the truth about Jesus of Nazareth. They knew they would be arrested and persecuted at times for their faith, but they did it anyways. Out of love and obedience to Jesus they honored him above all earthly authority and all wicked persecutions devised by the devil to silence the message of Christ's gospel.
We should not be surprised when evil people, the children of Satan, act wickedly and with evil intent. They truly are children of their father, Satan. Who is Satan? He is the "Father of Lies".
In John 8:42-47 Jesus explains the situation as it existed in his day, and still exists for us today.
"If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason that you do not hear is because you do not belong to God."
Jesus knows your frustration. Think of how much more frustrated he was. He is the Truth yet people didn't believe his words. He came to save every single person, yet they turned their backs on him and rejected him. That is what the people of our day are still doing. They have the plain truth of God's Word, yet they reject it and carry out the plans of their father, Satan.
Evil men will exist in this world until Jesus comes back again for the Final Judgment. Don't let their wickedness frustrate you or intimidate you. Like the Apostles, your job is to share the gospel of Jesus at every opportunity, with everyone God puts in front of you. The more they make your blood boil, the more they need to hear about Jesus. He died for them too. It is time for God's people to lead with mercy and compassion. We are the ones who rightly understand the terminal condition of those who are currently serving Satan and his schemes. Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. Love conquers all, not hate. You will never win souls for Christ by returning hate for hate.
Have compassion on the lost of this world because "they do not know what they are doing."
God bless
Jason Fredrick
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