One may think it is rare that they would ever find themselves in a situation like that of the apostles, to make a decision that they made, or sacrifice the way they did. After all, the Bible was penned by inspiration so long ago, and the events took place so far away, how could the story of our lives mimic them? Yet we end up in similar situations on a regular basis whether we realize it or not.

 

Take Acts 5:27-29 for instance. The apostles were preaching Jesus, but the Jewish religious authorities did not like it. Maybe it was because they did not believe in Jesus themselves or maybe they were afraid to lose their power, whatever the exact causes, they had commanded the apostles to stop preaching Jesus. The apostles then had a choice to make, were they going to obey what God told them to do, or would they obey what men said instead? You know the choice they made, for they said “we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). We make this same choice all the time. Let us look in some areas where we must obey God rather than ...

 

 

Obey God rather than government. While I am not currently aware of a law, that a Christian must break to remain faithful to God, they may be coming. Homosexual interest groups have made great progress in lobbying Congress to pass laws making any preaching against homosexuality a crime. Laws have already been introduced that would make this a reality. What must we do? Preach the whole council of God (Acts 20:27). Yes, Romans 13 makes clear that a Christian should obey the government, but when God and government conflict, we must obey God.

Obey God rather than family. How many will be lost because they refuse to break away from the religious traditions of family, even though they know they are not found in the Bible (Mark. 10:37)?

 

Obey God rather than the brethren. Sometimes even the brethren ask that we put their will above God’s. Maybe it is an opinion that they want to be seen as law (Matthew 15:9). Maybe it is a sin they want overlooked (Romans 3:23). Most often it is simply a result of pride, “Only by pride cometh contention” (Proverbs 13:10). (Special note: keep in mind it is God’s will that the church be overseen by elders, not committees, if qualified men can be found - Titus 1:5).

 

Obey God rather than self. If was not selfishness that took Jesus to the cross, nor will it be selfishness that causes us to stand in its shadow. We are to love God supremely, then prefer others before ourselves (Matthew 22:37; Romans 12:10).

 

Let us obey God, rather than men.