Man's Schemes v. God's Counsel (6/27/23)
Acts 5
Freya
6/28/2023
Life Lesson(s)…
Acts 5 reflects any man's schemes that subvert what God counsels or plans will always fail. For according to 1 Samuel 16:7, the "LORD sees not as man sees…but the LORD looks on the heart." Believers are warned in Proverbs 4:23, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
In the story of Ananias and Sapphira, these above verses help to explain what occurs. According to the Lord in Jeremiah 17:9-10, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” As most of the community of believers shared all their wealth by placing the goods at the apostles' feet, Peter addressed Ananias, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?...Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” Peter repeats the process again with Sapphira. The fear of the Lord fell upon the believers' to live a heartfelt righteous life.
The renowned teacher of Judaic law, Gamaliel, gave the same lesson to the non-believing Judaic temple council of Sadducees and Pharisees. After imprisoning and persecuting the apostles' in council in an attempt to prevent them from preaching about Jesus and from doing their other miraculous works, the Judaic council was at a loss in figuring out how to stop the apostles. The apostles boldly declared they would obey God and not man. Therefore, Gamaliel stated the opening quote telling all to leave the apostles alone for if it is from man, it will fail, but if it is of God, man cannot stop His counsel or His plans.
Your Thoughts…
Now, consider the ramifications of this lesson:
Who do you believe that the Lord holds more accountable regarding following Him in a heartfelt way? Why do you think the Lord does so?
Does this life lesson hold true today? Why or why not?
Does the life lesson from Acts 5 affect your walk with God? Why or why not? If it does affect your walk, how does it do so?
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So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these [apostles] and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!
ACTS 5:38-39 (ESV)