Don’t Fight God

Acts 5:38-39

Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

In this passage, Peter and John are before the Sanhedrin for continuing to preach the gospel in the temple although they had been instructed not to. They had been locked up in prison and broken free by an angel in the night that instructed them to do so. As Peter and John appear before the religious officials, one among them, Gamaliel, steps forward to persuade these men to reconsider their punishments. He gives examples of other men who attempted to start revolutions and failed because their missions were of personal passion. Gamaliel does not say whether or not he believes Jesus was the son of God, but he does recommend to let the problem take care of itself rather than creating an uprising of the people.

Evidence of the power of God was shown through Jesus when he was on earth, and it was continuing through Peter, John and Christ’s apostles. The Pharisees had grown accustomed to their personal power and influence over the people as religious leaders. When Jesus came, he challenged them and reminded them where and from whom their authority came from. It is always interesting to see that the most “holy in man’s eyes” were the most “hypocritical in God’s eyes.” Here the adversaries of the “church” sought to kill and destroy the leaders to make a point just as they did Jesus. When something is of God, evil will seek to discredit or destroy whatever it is.

The takeaway from this passage is that plans with personal passion can fail and often do fail, but anything that is God inspired will prosper. Seek the will of God for your life and surround yourself with a wise council. Don't let your selfish desires hinder you from fulfilling what God has planned. This leads to unhappiness and frustration. Resisting God’s plan for your life is fighting God, and it will not end well. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Seek first His kingdom and all other things will be added unto you.