RIGHT IN GOD’S SIGHT
Acts 4:17-20 NKJV
17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Yesterday, we read about the miracle that happened to the man who had never walked. The Lord healed him, and it shook the temple area in Jerusalem. Not only did the man receive a miracle but it gave Peter an opportunity to proclaim the resurrected Jesus, and five thousand men were saved. It is always important to note that salvations followed the preaching of the word, not the miracle. The healing miracle was what amazed the people and made them more prone to listen to what was being preached.
So everyone was happy? No. The miracle helped reach thousands and made the religious leaders extremely angry. But they could not deny that a notable miracle had taken place. The man who had been lame from birth was over forty years old. Not able to deny the miraculous, the Jewish leaders decided to shut down the preaching of Jesus. So they threatened Peter and John and demanded that they no longer preached Jesus. Peter’s answer was classic.
“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God you judge.” This became the foundation thought for spreading the gospel even in the face of threats and punishment. The boldness and courage that the disciples displayed after the resurrection and empowering by the Holy Spirit was quite a turnaround. Peter and John basically told the Jewish leaders that they were not going to stop preaching and teaching Jesus. They could not help but speak about what they had seen and heard.
As we continue reading in the book of Acts, we’ll see that the threats and persecution against the church does not stop. But the disciples do not stop preaching and teaching, the message spreads, and the church grows.
APPLICATION
What Peter declared is a good way to look at life. What is right in God’s sight? I remember being asked to give an invocation years ago at a business function. I was asked to not use the name of Jesus because some of the investors were Jewish. And I declined the invitation. I did not feel it would have been right in God’s sight to alter a prayer simply because there were some unbelievers present. When I gave my answer the man who asked me to speak was convicted and told me just to go ahead and pray. I did not preach but gave a simple blessing and closed in Jesus’ name.
I am not an advocate for pushing Christ on anyone. Pushy is rarely effective. But I am a believer in doing what is right in God’s sight. Peter, in his first letter gives some great instructions for doing what is right before God. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15) NIV
PRAYER
Lord, I always want to do what is right in Your sight. What people think is not the most important thing.