The Virtues that Inspire Obedience

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old (Acts 4:13-22).

Peter and John’s boldness impressed the Jewish authorities even more than the healing of a 40-year-old crippled man! Their boldness not only impressed the Jewish leaders, it scared them enough to compel them to come up with a strategy to stop the spread of the gospel. The Jewish leaders… “charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus”. This was a direct conflict with Christ’s command to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). The young disciples were confronted with a choice, to obey Christ or men. Because we live in a fallen world, disciples like you and I are confronted in every generation with the same choice, to obey God or please people. Through Luke’s record of this confrontation, the Holy Spirit reveals to us the virtues that inspire obedience.

The disciples had been with Jesus. The primary, faith building virtue for every disciple is intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit works through our time in the presence of Jesus to transform and make us more like Him… “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). When we listen closely to His Word, Jesus makes us think and reason less like the world and more like Him… “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). As we learn to discern and pursue His will, we are attracted away from the world and toward obedience to what God says is good, acceptable, and perfect.

The disciples loved Jesus. They were confronted with a choice to obey Christ’s commandment or the ruling of men. Their response revealed who was in control of their heart. There is a direct connection between loving Jesus and obeying Him… “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus taught that keeping His Word is evidence that we love Him and He promised to make His home with those who obey Him… “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). As our love for Jesus grows, our fellowship with Him and our obedience to His Word grows too.

The disciples did not fear men. They had witnessed the cruelty of men poured out on Jesus, and they had witnessed Christ’s resurrection victory over the grave. They had no doubt about life after death and therefore had no fear of the worst that men could do to them. Their confidence in the presence of God with them because they chose His side in this confrontation overcame their fear of men… “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6). The Spirit inspired Paul to echo this virtue in His letter to the Romans… “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Maturing disciples live in the growing peace and love of Christ as the fear of men is overcome in their hearts.

As we grow up into Christ, His grace works in us to develop and mature…

The Virtues that Inspire Obedience.