Right in God's Sight

Acts 4:18-22 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
 
THIS passage is often used to help the Christian determine whether one is to obey a government’s laws or not. The Bible in general affirms we are to live a life of peace under the rulers God has put over us. When Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21) he made a broad statement confirming a citizen’s obligation to his government. And Paul writes in Romans 13:1c The authorities that exist have been established by God.
   That obligation ends, though, when a government’s rule opposes God’s Word. When Peter said, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” he affirmed he and John were under the risen Lord Jesus’ command: Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” The Christian’s authority is Christ. Government’s – and sadly too many “churches” – make rules to silence heaven’s holy authority to declare the risen Jesus to the world. We note here that the apostles had the last word. The authorities had nothing to say because the evidence of Jesus was obvious.
   This freedom of religion is one foundational Bible truth. Consider how God called Abram into a new land to be free of the idolatrous worship of his ancestors and family. God changed Abram to become Abraham. He is the father of the Jews, a people set apart from other nations to reveal the eternal God to the World. History indicates that even in the Jews’ captivity and their rule by foreign nations such as Rome, faithful Jews resisted pagan influences. They maintained the commanded Feasts, the Sabbath and essential worship of God. In bondage to other governments, the Jews remained bonded to God.
   The faithful Christian must be the same. None of us live in a true Christian nation. Regardless of government rule, we must be faithful to God’s rule. Acts reports the apostles’ faithful response to Jesus as many abuses and even martyrdom attempt to turn them from their freedom in Jesus. Their freedom in Christ ruled their lives. They were willing and eager to stand amid turmoil to define and defend the risen Jesus.
   Each day throughout the world governments and cultures attempt to silence our freedom of faith. We must know in our soul God has granted us the privilege to know in Jesus. John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.