"So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:18-20)
Where is the voice of the church today? Greg Baker writes: "According to the Bible, government is an institution established by God with the primary purpose to punish evil and praise those who do good (see Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2). Yet how can government determine good and evil without God? Without the voice of the Church rightly proclaiming the truths of Scripture? To do its job successfully, the government needs the Church to fulfill the proper role of spiritual guide and counselor."
( Greg Baker Commentary - Greg Baker is The FAMiLY LEADER Foundation’s vice president of church engagement.)
It seems to me, that our society has told (we the church) to crawl in a corner, and be quiet concerning the issues we face in our nation today. As Christians, we may not have all the answers to all the problems we deal with in this country; but we know the One who is the answer to all that we deal with in our lives, and the lives of others. That is our Lord Jesus Christ.
In our text the apostles were told by the authorities, to not speak concerning the things of our Lord. But Peter and John said, "they could not be silent about what they had seen and heard." If there was ever a time to speak out concerning Jesus, IT IS NOW! People need to hear the Word of God, they need to hear about the hope they can find in Jesus Christ. Our nation needs a Savior, and a Shepherd. Who are they going to hear it from, if they don't hear it from us? And it's not just by our lips, but by our lives, that will speak boldly concerning the Lord Jesus Christ!
Look at the mess we have made of things, on our own. We are so selfish, and divided today. The path we are on, is not the path of God's will, but a path of darkness and destruction. There needs to be a voice of reason. And the church needs to be that voice or reason today!
Making the most of every opportunity, we as the Lord's church, can share the truth of God's Word, and live a life of faith, hope, and love
(1 Cor.13) so the world will hear, and know without a doubt concerning God's will for their lives! GP
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