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.
(Acts 5:27-29)
I truly believe by the authority of the Word of God that the greatest fulfillment in the Christian’s life today is obedience to Jesus Christ. Obedience is greater than sacrifice, supply, and schedules. (1 Samuel 15:22) Peter and the apostles understood this vital fact. In Acts chapter 5 the Apostles were being pressed in their faith to give in and to give up. Yet, the Apostles understood that God was in control of their circumstances, and boldly declared that obedience to God must be foremost in their lives.
In Sunday School we hear the children sing “Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.” What a statement! How true these words echo within our heart that obedience to God is imperative in pleasing Him.
Right from the beginning of our Christian life – obedience has been vital. The writer of Hebrews declares that obedience was the doorway of our salvation. The writer of Hebrews declares in Hebrews 5:9 “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him”. This same obedience that brought us to the Family of God must be continued every day that we live our lives.
Oswald Chambers, in “My Utmost for His Highest” put it this way, “All of God’s revealed truths are sealed until they are opened to us through obedience. You will never open them through philosophy or thinking.” We must come to the conclusion that “Obedience is an action of the heart.” In John 14:15, Jesus Himself tells us, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Jesus informs each of His disciples that if we love Him we will obey His commands.
Peter, why do you stand before these men and woman? Don’t you know that it was these people that crucified the Lord Jesus? Don’t you understand that it was these religious leaders that you fled from? The answer is so clear from the life of Peter. Obedience to Christ is vital in living a blessed Christian life.
How about you today? What are fleeing from in your Christian life? What does God want you to do today? My prayer for myself and for you is that we with boldness would stand up and say, “We ought to obey God rather than men”.
