28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. – Acts 5:28-29
When human authorities silence you from speaking the word of Life, you must make a choice. Obey God or obey men.
Both choices carry consequences.
40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. – Acts 5:40-42
In obeying men, you will receive the honour of men but the dishonour of God.
In obeying God, you will receive the dishonour of men but the honour of God.
In obeying men, you will avert the penalty of human authorities, but also reject the joy of divine worth.
In obeying God, you will receive the penalty of human authorities, but also the joy of divine worth.
Divine worth is a blessing of God.
Divine worth is the awesome weight of God’s pleasure pressed into your soul.
Divine worth is the knowledge that God has chosen you for great reward in heaven.
Divine worth is experiencing at the core of one’s heart and mind, the truth that you belong to God.
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. – Matthew 5:11-12
Many may believe in God. Indeed, many may be chosen by God. But not all will experience this divine worth. Many may even try to manufacture it. Yet, divine worth flows from obedience to God. Divine worth comes especially to those who suffer for obedience to God.
So we are left with two choices: obey men or obey God. It is our choice to make every moment.