Peter and John were hauled before the leaders and told
in no uncertain terms they could not talk about Jesus Christ. They were
threatened and that threat was real, palpable. Yet Peter and John, in the face
of pressure were able to say:
“As for us, we can’t stop speaking about what we have
seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20)
Think about that for a moment. These two had every
reason to NOT speak abut Jesus. Most people threatened with prison, beatings,
death…they would hesitate to continue a course of action that would see that as
the end result. Jesus was gone. Taken up into heaven. Peter and John could have
very easily pulled back from their public proclamations.
Instead they said they couldn’t stop speaking about
what they had seen and heard!
They had a testimony!
Later in Acts we see that James was beheaded and Stephen
was stoned to death. Peter was thrown in prison. There were consequences for
speaking about this Jesus.
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so
that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the
Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3)
I think about the state of our faith today.
It seems many have gotten distracted by the “culture
wars” and, at least on social media, people seem angrier and have wrapped
themselves in an “us against them” mentality. Christians seem to want to fight
politically (at least in the US) to stop “those people” from winning! I have to
say that the “sins” of society will not be won politically! We can try to legislate
morality but political gains will not change the hearts of man. Government
funding may allow Christian organizations to keep doing our social service
activities but it won’t save lives from the pit of hell!
We need to get back to the Peter and John way of
communicating. We need to stop talking about what we’re against/for and start
telling our stories.
We have a testimony!
I have seen too much. People may doubt the existence
of God but I have seen the sick miraculously healed. I have personally seen the
impossible become possible. I have seen not only healings but miraculous acts
of provision where no other explanation is possible. I have seen God move in my
own life. To that I can testify!
Let us remember how the Lord has moved in and through
our lives and then proclaim HIM boldly!
