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Theo Tigno•
5/1/2003 6:33 am
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Thursday, May 1st, 2003 |
Acts 5:27-33
When the court officers had brought the Apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, "We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.
Dawg's thought:
How many of you remember this song:
"Cause I can't make you love me if you won't..."
Technically, you don't "have" to love God. After all, that's why we have free will. We have the great opportunity to choose to do whatever we want, including choosing to love God. Take a look at the Sanhedrin, for example. They chose to harden their hearts even though Peter and the Apostles were proclaiming how much God loves them. They were so set about "knowing" God that they were hardened to "accepting" God. God, for them, fit into their mold.
"This whole talk about Jesus' blood being upon our people is insane! That isn't God!"
Yet, we make the same choices 2000 years later in our actions and our words. We make God conform to our lifestyle in order to make God convenient.
"I'm too tired to pray this morning. I'm sure God understands."
"Why should I change? It's the way God made me."
"It's good that you believe in those things, but it's not for me."
Of course, what's worse than these words is the way we live. Jesus wants to grant us "forgiveness of our sins," yet we continue to hold grudges. Jesus wants us to "love one another," yet we continue to ignore the cries of those who are need of our help because we don't want to love them. Jesus calls is to love the Lord, Our God, yet we are too consumed with our petty idols that consume our minds.
What are we afraid of? Are we afraid to give up our comfortable lifestyle and comfortable beliefs? Are we afraid to hear The Truth because it does not fit into our realm of understanding? Are we afraid of the suffering that comes with carrying our cross?
You have the free will to choose. Take care and God Bless.
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