“There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”
“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and… he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, ‘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? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God…’
“Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles… None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem…
“But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him.., and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out…
“Someone came and told [the religious leaders], ‘Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.’ Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people…
“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name…‘ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.'” Acts 4:34-35; 5:1-4,12-13,17-19,25-26,29
The testing of faith produces steadfastness, progressively toward or away from Christ. As the fire of belief spreads, heat to commit wholeheartedly increases, and man is either consumed or resistant. Day to day produces constant push and pull, I could be all in, but I’m not sure. The draw upward of the Spirit wrestles with the downward pull of the devil, keeping a constant but for every decision and action. We must determine where we land and how we proceed. (James 1:2-4)
This world is a constant barrage of buts battling for our allegiance. Like the people in Jerusalem, we may have great esteem, but be afraid to get involved. For every action there is an opposing option, and we determine whether the conjunction leads us toward the Lord or away from Him, to be single-minded for Christ, or cowards. For every alternative in work or play, in relationships or private life, we must choose one direction or another. The more often we act in true commitment, the bolder we become.
What buts am I entertaining that keep me from full obedience? To what voices do I listen, whose opinions do I weigh? What excuses am I making for holding back, waffling in middle ground? What fears cool spiritual fire to lukewarm? Who would the crowds say I must and do obey? (Matthew 10:28; Revelation 3:16)
Lord, help me surrender every but to You and commit wholeheartedly to glorifying You in thought, word, and deed.
As the rain and snow 