Rather than Him?

Acts:3:19

Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than Him?

Peter filled with the Holy Spirit, has the audacity to ask this bold statement to the chief priests and rulers when they were warned not to preach in the name of Jesus Christ. Who do you think we should obey? Whom should you listen to? Whom do you try to please?

There is the God Almighty on one side; the All Powerful God who has given you the responsibility to tell about Him. On the otherside, you fear about man whose opinion flickers all the time.

The Almighty God, who is Eternal. And there is man who is temporal.

The God who is love, who gave up everything for you, died for your redemption, dared to call Himself sin, He who hates sin. And then there is man who will forget you the next moment, who knows only to love himself.

How do you take your decisions? Is the world's standards a criterion for your decision making? Or is God your decision Maker? He said He has plans to prosper you. He said His plans are higher than your plans.

How do you talk? Whom do you hang out with? Where do you go? What are your priorities? What are your entertainments? Are these choices being influenced by your relationship with God? Or do you run along the rut?

Image credit: https://www.shutterstock.com/search/be-rut

Comments

Permissible

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Cor:6:12 Everything is permissible. But not everything is beneficial. Let it not overpower you. You shall not be addicted to it. Definitely not the vice things. But the not so harmful things. The harmless habits. Things that you can, but would you? Does it edify you? Is it beneficial? 1 Cor:10:23 is the litmus test. Does it bring God glory? Ask yourself. Why do I want to do this? Does it bless me? Or will it take me farther away from God. Put your thoughts to what you do. Do not go with the trend. Just because others are doing. Just because of the hashtag. Just to be viral. Just to gain acceptance. Is it good? Is it profitable? Will I be mastered by it? Is it beneficial? Image credit: https://www.whoa.in/gallery/funny-men-wallpaper

Mere men - a prose

Are you not walking like mere men? 1 Cor:3:3 Why are you mere men, when you have the mind of Christ? Why are you running for the things of this world, when you have the mind of Christ? Why jealousy and envy, when you have the mind of Christ? Why the strife and unrest, when you have the mind of Christ? Why the faithlessness and unfaithfulness, when you have the mind of Christ? Mere men run around material things. Mere men look for earthly satisfaction. Mere men have shortsightedness rather than eternal heavenly perspective. Mere men think of finite goals. Yet you have the mind of Christ. Invest in the word of God and not fleshly motives. Invest in unceasing prayer. Invest in trusting and holding fast to Him. Not like mere men who have temporary goals. But you have the mind of Christ with an eternal mindset. Image credit: https://feedingonjesus.com/2019/05/07/never-lost-in-the-crowd-2/

Let it be....

Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 1 Cor:6:7 Not that you would be wronged or defrauded. But it doesn't matter when you are wronged. Let it be. Let you be wronged. Let yourself be snatched from. Let yourself be misunderstood. Let you be blamed wrong. When you are affected, when it happens to you, that is self being dented. When others cheat you, if you are hurt then that is ego. You think, people think of you what you are actually not, why do you get affected. What does it cost you if others have a wrong opinion about you? Where is the attitude of Christ? Who was fully misunderstood, fully blamed wrongly. If I am sure of my identity in Christ i would never feel bad. He never misunderstands me. He never judges me. He knows me in and out. It is only His opinion that matters. Then let others wrong me. Christ took the freedom to let me go through this. Image credit: https://daily.wordreference.com/2025/07/17/intermediate-word-of-the-day-snatch/

To discipline

1 Cor:9:27 But I discipline my body and make it my slave. Self control is a discipline. A gift. A fruit. A quintessential quality for a disciplined, gifted and fruitful life. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self control in all things. To beat my body. To discipline literally means, to hit under the eye. To knock the body out, so that you may win. Regarding gluttony, lust, negative thoughts, anger, hatred, vengeful words. Have self control. Keep quiet when you need to. Say no, when you ought to. Keep the mouth shut, when you are supposed to. It is not just the willpower, but about grace too. Both are important for self control. If you don't have the will power ask for GRACE. Grace is always there. Seek grace, because it is made available always. It is just that once you are made aware of the need, you seek, you pursue. You might fall occasionally. But get up and start from scratch. It is worth it. Image courtesy: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/32...

Immorality rebuked

1 Cor:5:1-5 This is not something to be done away with. It is rebuked by Paul and he promises to deal with it the moment he comes. It is to be taken seriously. Well I don't commit such atrocities in my life. I am pure. If any one looks at a woman with lustful eyes, says Jesus in Matt:5:28, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Be it offline, or online. Or on the Billboards or posters or in reality. Be it in your fantasy or in actual world. God defines it as adultery. Period. It is something that has to be dealt seriously and drastically. It is not to be pushed under the carpet. Paul says, such man, he has to be handed over to satan, so his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. Jesus, May my eyes be pure And my heart be set apart For you my only husband. Image credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image-film?phrase=boy+computer+night&tracked_gsrp_landing=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.istockphoto.com%2Fphotos%2Fboy-computer-night

Crave - a poem

We would not crave evil things. 1Cor:10:6 Despite knowing His love unconditional to me. Despite knowing that it was my wretchedness That nailed Him to the cross. Why would I crave the very things He abhor? The very things my husband hate. I end up desiring, longing for This lover who gave His life and privileges for me. Him, I disappoint yet again. For it is the heart's motive that He looks for. It is the heart's desire that He looks into. What my heart longs for And who my lover yearns for? Selfish; idolator; immoral; gambler Dissatisfied; discontented; complainer. Adulterer in the heart. Murderer in the mind. Every thought in my heart, brings a teardrop in His eye. Why am I tuned like this? Why am I so fallen? Oh! Wretched man, that I am Who will deliver me from this hopelessness. The word "grace" is yet beautiful Favour when I don't deserve it. Difficult as I am, He still loves me. Improbable to be rectified; He still gives grace. He would transf...

Wisdom - a poem

For the Word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 1 Cor:1:18 For others let it be foolishness. Let them laugh at you. Let them call you names. That is because they don't understand. But let that not be a hindrance. For you to seek Him. For you to make a stand for Jesus. Amongst the very same people who label you. It's been grace that you have been granted this wisdom. Are there not people wiser than you? But God was gracious to reveal Himself to you But do you cherish it? For you it is the power of God. Which saved you; which will protect you. And sustain you and provide for you. God is on your side, then who can be against you. Image credit: https://www.freepik.com/premium-ai-image/glowing-key-with-glowing-light-middle-it_42000384.htm

The halfbaked Bard

Search This Blog