We all have the desire to move forward in life. Even the laziest person has hope for things to come. We also have our limits on what it will take to stop us. For the most part, we have a comfort zone that dictates what we will do. If we are not driven by something other than our comfort, we will not move forward in difficult tasks. A successful athlete is a good example of a person getting out of their comfort zone. If they are to achieve success, they must push their bodies to the point of exhaustion. Each day they continue to push until they arrive at a new goal. The great athlete will reach a goal and then set another goal. He will keep pushing until he gains victory. In the Christian life, we should do the same in pursuing holiness and obedience to God’s word. In your Christian life, what does it take to stop you?
In Acts chapter 4 Peter and John caused quite a stir with their preaching about Jesus. They had gained an audience when they healed the lame man in the name of Jesus. As chapter 4 opens the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees approach them. They were upset that they taught that through Jesus we have the resurrection of the dead. They put Peter and John in prison for the night but that didn’t stop the gospel. Many of those who heard believed in Jesus for their salvation. In this culture, only the men were counted and there were about 5000 of them. If all that believed were counted, I’m sure there would have been thousands more.
Act 4:1-4 “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.”
The next day Peter and John meet with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many more of the rulers. Their intent was to stop the preaching about Jesus Christ, but Peter and John said in verse 19, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.” These leaders could not deny the healing of the lame man. They feared the people if they were open with their opposition to Peter and John, so they met and determined they would threaten Peter and John.
Act 4:5-6 “And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.”
Act 4:19 “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.”
They had miscalculated their threats against Peter and John. No power of man could keep them from sharing their faith. They continue to preach and are brought before the council again. As the council reminded Peter and John of their former threats, Peter and John repeated their intentions. In 5:29 they said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Not only did this not stop the preaching, it gave Peter and John an opportunity to preach to the leaders.
Act 5:25 “Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
As modern-day Christians, we read these accounts and marvel at their determination to let everyone know of the saving power of Jesus, of the healing power of Jesus, and of His power over death. These men faced persecution and opposition that would cause most of us to shut up and move on. However, our resolve to tell others about our Savior should be challenged by Peter and John’s example. Why should we be this zealous?
- Because it is a command from God spoken by Jesus before He went back to Heaven. Matthew 28:19-20“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
- Because we love Him, we obey. These were Jesus’ words also. John 14:15“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
- Because Hell is real, and people are dropping into it every second. 2Pe 2:4 “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;” If God did not spare the people of Noah’s time or the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha, why should He spare a rebellious people who have the gospel on every corner and yet refuse to follow Him.
What does it take to stop you from witnessing to others? Does ridicule, teasing, or some manmade law close your mouth? Does your comfort zone stop you? How about your busy schedule, are you too busy to care about the souls of men? Jesus saved us and left us here to be a witness for Him. We are to look for opportunities and be ready to share. One day we will stand before Christ and give an account of our lives and I believe this question of witnessing will be at the top of the list. Why do I think that? Because God sacrificed His Son for us, and Jesus laid down His life for us. A tall price for our eternity that we have cheapened by letting petty things stop us. As I sit and write this it is convicting. I know I can do more, what about you?
