Empowered

It is the Truth that Sets us Free!

Life Lessons Devotional Series, Thursday May 11, 2023

Scripture: Acts 4: ¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. ¹⁵ So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. ¹⁶ “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” ¹⁸ 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, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! ²⁰ As for us, 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.

Life Lesson: What is truly astonishing is not that Peter and John opened their mouths and dared to speak when standing before the Sanhedrin, it was the words they spoke through the authority of Jesus name and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that is astonishing! 

– Church, I am convinced that too many words are spoken today from people professing faith that have no authority or power because the message is coming from the minds of “men” rather than the heart of God!

– Look around and you will soon find many on the television, radio, internet and in local churches who are proclaiming a message under the guise of Christianity that is neither reflective of the Word of God and more sadly even contradictory to it. 

– Peter and John were heavily scrutinized for their message and their proclamation of faith in Jesus’ Name.  However, their message was not conveyed in the authority of the flesh as was evident by the miraculous power revealed in the 40-year-old man suddenly healed from his infirmity from birth!

–  They did not rely on wise and persuasive words when speaking to the Sanhedrin, rather they spoke in the same authority that had brought about the transformation in the lame man.  Here’s the rub, how is it then that so many today are making their appeal to the audiences who are listening, speaking words their itching ears long to hear, rather than proclaiming the unadulterated word of the Lord in the power of the Spirit? 

– Peter and John had a choice as do we today, declare by faith the Word of God through the infilling of the Spirit or acquiesce to the spirit of the age. Truth has no comprise with the world, the flesh and the devil.  It is the truth that sets people free! Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!  Full stop!