A Deeper Resolve

Scripture – Acts 5:40-42: ⁴⁰His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. ⁴²Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Reflection: – Verse 40 slips by so easily, I often overlook that the leaders “had them flogged.” They were not just inconvenienced, they were brutally whipped. I can’t imagine what that would be like. Then they were ordered again “not to speak in the name of Jesus.”

When they were released, they left “rejoicing because they had been counted worthy” of suffering for the name of Christ. That whole scene is hard to picture, as well.

Then they went right back to work. “They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news.” Nothing was going to stop them, for they had made a clear decision to obey God rather than other people – even people with whips.

I sit here today in my safe setting, and I believe I have a similar resolve. At the same time, that resolve has not been tested as severely as it was for those apostles. Still, I will live with that perspective. I cannot imagine denying Christ. And so, imperfect as I am, I will follow Him today no matter what.

How about you? How has your faith been tested? What’s been the result of that testing?