One Bread, One BodyOne Bread, One Body
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Acts 5:27-33
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Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20 |
John 3:31-36
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TO OBEY IS TO DISOBEY
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"Whoever believes in the Son has life eternal. Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure the wrath of God." —John 3:36
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Peter and John told the Sanhedrin: "Better for us to obey God than men!" (Acts 5:29) This meant: "Better for us to teach about Jesus' name than be intimidated by your threats" (see Acts 5:28). Because Peter and John stifled fear instead of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Thes 5:19), they received the Spirit in even greater abundance, for the Spirit is "given to those that obey" the Lord (Acts 5:32). How can we apply this part of the Bible to our times? Should we say:
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"Better for us to home-school our children than expose them to brainwashing from secular humanism"?
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"Better to be attacked or mocked at work or school than tolerate pornography, profane language, racist remarks, or gossip"?
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"Better to be shunned by the crowd than compromise the truth"?
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"Better for us to be pure than popular"?
If we truly choose the better part (Lk 10:42), we will not sadden the Holy Spirit but receive an unrationed (Jn 3:34), lavish (Ti 3:6) outpouring of the rivers of the Holy Spirit (Jn 7:37ff). The Spirit is given to those who disobey the world in obeying God. |
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Prayer: Father, may I obey You quickly, cheerfully, and completely. Come, Holy Spirit!
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Promise: "The One Whom God has sent speaks the words of God; He does not ration His gift of the Spirit." —Jn 3:34
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Praise: Dr. Carlin performed thousands of abortions. He turned to Jesus and repented. Now he saves the lives of pre-born children.
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