Did you know that 1 out of 9 Christians experience some form of religious persecution? In fact, Christian persecution is among the biggest human rights issues this world is facing right now.
But let me tell you this: Christian persecution isn’t new.
Right at the beginning of the Christian Church, persecution is already rampant.
One of the stories we read in Acts tells us about the persecution of the Apostles.
While the Apostles were preaching in the name of Yahshua or Jesus Christ, they were imprisoned by the High Priest and the Sadducees.
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Can you imagine being put into prison simply just because you were preaching the Gospel?
That must have felt awful for the Apostles.
Think about this for a second: the Apostles aren’t doing anything wrong.
In fact, they are doing something right.
Yet, they are imprisoned for doing the will of God.
Thankfully, an angel of the Lord freed them at night.
This is the perfect time for the Apostles to escape, go their way, and just keep silent so they can save themselves.
But NO! Where did they go after they got imprisoned for preaching the Gospel, Acts 5:25 tells us:
So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”
So, what did the religious authorities did to the Apostles, they brought the Apostles before the council. The high priest asked them in verse 28:
“Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
I want you to focus on the response of Peter and the Apostles. I want us to inculcate these words in our heart of hearts and mind of minds.
I want us to live by this principle starting today.
Acts 5:29, tells, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
We ought to obey God, Yahweh, the supreme Creator and Ruler of this entire universe, rather than men.
When you are persecuted, are you doing what’s easy, rather than what’s right?
Are we following men or God?
Are we pleasing other people rather than our Creator?
Are we going to follow the “high priests” of our day?
The answer is obvious, but doing what’s right is not always easy.
However, whatever happens, my friend, you need to remember Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
When doing the right thing puts you in trouble, just remember no suffering, no pain in this world would ever be worthy to compare to what we are going to receive in the coming Kingdom of God.
