WWJD

By Erik Farstad

January 6, 1998

"We must obey God rather than men!" Acts 5:29b

Is the word "must" strong enough for you? Not me. I wonder what the original Greek translation for must is? "We MUST obey God rather than men." Why did Peter and the other apostles say this? What did they know that made them say this? And is the same true today? Well, in today’s world depending on who you ask you will get several different answers. One thing is for certain...YOU MUST CHOOSE!

We have a choice! Just because we must to do something, doesn’t mean we always choose to do it. So the question is, whom do you listen to? Whom do you seek to honor? Are you concerned about obeying the Lord or the world? We MUST be more concerned with what God thinks about us than what people (the world) thinks about us!

Here in Acts, the apostles had their priorities straight. They knew they had to live at peace with everyone, the Lord commands that, but also knew that conflict with the world and it’s authorities would be inevitable. As in the apostles time, there will be times in your life where you cannot obey both God and man. It is at this time that you must choose? In Luke 6:22, Jesus said, "Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man." Who would you rather reject you, man or God?

Ask yourself these questions: Do you say no, when "it" will disobey God! Do you turn from evil, run from gossip, do not partake in crude and lewd behavior? Your answer to these questions will determine whom you serve. But if your wondering, like most of us, what to do about those "gray areas" or "unsure things" try this: before doing something, anything, ask yourself, What Would Jesus Do? If he wouldn’t, should you?

You can only obey ONE GOD!

Let this be your prayer today:

Dear Lord, you and you alone are my God! Many times I disobey and serve other god’s, today I choose to run and turn from that behavior. I earnestly seek to more like Jesus in my everyday life. I pray that your Spirit guides my heart and actions so that I may serve and obey only You. Let it be a thorn in my side each time I disobey your commands. Let me be reminded that every time I fail you, it is as if I am pounding the nails even farther into Jesus’ hands and feet. No more do I want to cause you pain, sadness and grief at having to watch your son/daughter disobey you. I love you Father! Thank you, that you allow me time and time again to come in repentance to your feet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Let’s obey our Lord with singing on our lips.

For encouragement read, Psalm 63! He is mighty!

In Him, "E"