We must obey God rather than men. – Acts 5:29
Is it ever right to disobey the law? Peter and other apostles believed so. When they were jailed for preaching the gospel, an angel set them free. The officers who checked on them found the guards in place and the jail secure, but the apostles were not there. Someone came and reported that they were back in the temple preaching. The high priest angrily forbade them from teaching in the name of Jesus. That is when Peter responded with today’s verse, “We must obey God rather than men.”
In his letter from the Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote, “One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” However, two wrongs do not make a right. People protesting unjust laws must do so without injuring others. In both of these cases, in their protest, they suffered the consequences and did not attack others.
Recently, protests and laws have come against freedom of speech and religion. There may come a day when followers of Jesus will have to choose between obeying God or obeying people. This is a difficult position to be in. In some countries, merely being a believer in Christ is against the law.
Pray that those in authority would protect freedom of religion and speech in the United States. Pray for those who head ministries in this country that serve to guard human rights. Ask God to give them success in their efforts to help those in other countries who are condemned for their faith in Jesus.
Today’s Verse: Acts 5:29
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 5:10-16
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
