It’s been a tough two weeks for Give Attention to Reading–computer problems and schedule conflicts abound. However, I think we’ve got it together enough to finish out this six-month trek through the New Testament. We are in our final month, wrapping up by looking at the writings of John. Thanks for being patient with us.

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Today’s reading is Acts 5:1-6:15.

When the Council became angry with the apostles, Gamaliel, “a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people,” calmed them down. He gave wise counsel, essentially saying, “Hey guys, be careful. If God is really behind this, it won’t be stopped. If He’s not, it will come to nothing on its own” (Acts 5:35-39). Gamaliel is apparently an early practicer of “let go, and let God.”

God is in control. We’re not. We don’t have to try to be in control. We don’t have to try to clamp down on everything and everyone, because God will do His job. We can simply do what is right today and let God deal with the rest. If we are afraid something is going to go very wrong, we can simply do God’s will for our lives and let Him work on fixing things. If we are confused, we can simply choose to do what is right today and let God handle the rest.

I see two sides to what happened here. Gamaliel understood that if I’m with God, I can’t be stopped. If I’m doing God’s right things, I can’t be stopped. Let’s not see this in a shallow way. This doesn’t mean bad things will never happen to me. It simply means that no matter what happens God will see me through it on my way to heaven. I can trust Him to get me to eternal life. Every other fear pales in comparison.

However, there is another side. If I turn from God and go my own way, then I can hardly even get started. After all what is 400 men compared to the about 3000 Christ’s church started with. Theudas accomplished nothing and following his own way simply led to his own death. The same was true with Judas the Galilean. When I get all worked up trying to accomplish things (even what I believe is God’s will) my way, the end is death. I believe there is a proverb that says something like that. I need to remember it today.

In big and small things, if I’m doing God’s right things, there is no stopping me. If I’m following my own path, death is the only end. I don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow, but today, I believe I’ll do what God wants me to.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?

Announcement: I’m in New York this weekend. I’ll be preaching for the Upper West Manhattan Church of Christ in a series this weekend. If you are in the area, I’d love to actually meet you face to face. The series is entitled “Living Righteously–How Can I, Really?”

We’ll be meeting on Saturday (01/23) at 10 AM, 11 AM and 1 PM. Then again on Sunday at 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM. The congregation meets at Hostelling International, 891 Amsterdam Ave @ 103rd Street.

For more info about the congregation go here.