Today's Passage - Acts 5:27-32

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River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Acts 5:27-32 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead-whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." In this passage, the brave apostle told the official that we must obey God rather than men. Of course, this does not mean we have to oppose our government today. Romans 13:1 says that "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." When God placed us under authority, we need to submit to our authorities, so that there can be peace all over the world as each one of us live in submission to the governing authorities. In fact, Timothy 2:1 mentions not only obedience, but also calls us to pray and intercede for kings and all those in authority, so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.   Many years ago, I went to pray in Washington, DC. At that time, the Clinton scandal had just been reported. When we entered the White House, I was not sure how to pray for President Clinton. I did not feel like praying for repentance for him. At that time, I felt like I could understand how Jonah refused to go when God called him to Nineveh to preach the gospel to the enemy. Although I was in the White House, I had no desire to pray for President Clinton. But God showed me the example of Samuel, who continued to pray for Israel when King Saul had sinned against God.   I realized that this is not about whether we like our "king". It is the call of God for us to pray for those in power. It does not matter who we like, the important thing is that we have been entrusted with the critical task of praying for our leaders. Of course, sometimes the governing authorities may be in conflict with our faith, but this does not necessarily mean that we have to overthrow the government. As Christians, we just need to stand firm on our beliefs and trust that God will take care of us. I believe in God can lead us through the persecution in a magnificent way, and we can be a glorious witness for Him in the midst of persecution! Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, may your spirit help us to pray faithfully for our government every day. Let us choose to obey God rather than men, so that we may live out your glorious testimony. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

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