I love this because Peter makes it clear that when we are followers of Christ we follow what we see that Christ did and we don’t conform to the world just because we are told by the world. What is amazing about this is that if we studied God’s word to learn it well enough to live it out our actions wouldn’t be done in a way of disrespect. The world probably won’t like it still but we will be acting like Christ and the glory would go to the Father.
If we follow God’s word we will be doing good and our answer back to the world could be the same as Peters in Acts chapter 4 verses 8-9 which say, “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man?” We are not trying to show rebellion but we should be showing love and faith to our Lord. Look at what happens to the people when they got done praying and asking God for courage. In Acts chapter 4 verses 29-31 it says, “And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your words. Stretch out your hand with healing power, may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus. After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.”
We as believers have the Holy Spirit in us and we have the power to boldly teach and live as Jesus did so our words and actions work together to shine a light that draws people to seek the Lord. When we pray and mature in our walk we surrender our will and we start doing God’s will. The Spirit will lead us if we let Him, we will still run into snags and people that will ridicule us but we know how to handle it because the love in us from God is fueling how we act.
After being flogged for teaching about Christ the apostles react like this in Acts chapter 5 verses 41-42, “The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: Jesus is the Messiah.” We need to make our claim of being a Christian worth something and visible by our actions not just our words. When we study and pray then seek wisdom God gives us wisdom and we can boldly live in a way that shows who we are in Christ. There is nothing better than standing up for what we believe and having the joy that Christ promises as we do that. Thank you God for your love. Amen