All Honor Is Yours

PASSAGE OF THE DAY:
Acts 5 (click the link)


KEY VERSE:
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. (Acts 5:41, NIV)


REFLECTIONS:
Acts 5 starts with the story of Ananias and Sapphira, which is disturbing to say the least. Why? They sin and there is quick retribution. What is going on here?

Acts 4 ends with the story of Barnabas selling a field and offering all the money to the apostles. This is a beautiful story of personal generosity. Notice Act 5 starts with the word “But.” Things weren’t all perfect. Ananias and Sapphira, seeking honor, sell a piece of land and connive together to fool the apostles and church that they had given the full price of the sale of the land. Boom, they pay with their lives for conniving against the Holy Spirit.

Well it’s a good thing I never do this. I never seek to receive honor that I don’t deserve for the good things I do. Hopefully, you detect my sarcasm. What I do in the darkness of my thoughts really represents my walk with God and I would often be embarrassed to have my motives revealed for all to see. “But” God sees it all and wants it all to be given to Him to be redeemed.

So why didn’t Ananias and Sapphira get this chance? I don’t know, but I can speculate. This chapter is the 1st place in Acts where the word “church” is used. Also, remember that the “church” is often referred to as the bride of Christ. God had just paid the ultimate price, the death of His son, and had just poured out the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. I believe that God at this time needed purity at the root of the “church,” Jesus’ bride, and He would have it.

Now the rest of the story… The apostles continued to be obedient to the Holy Spirit preaching in the temple and are arrested. Then they are freed from prison only to be rearrested and taken before the High Council. The disciples receive a thorough whipping and are warned not to speak in Jesus’ name. They leave overjoyed because they had been given the honor of being dishonored on account of the name of Jesus and they continue to preach in the name of Jesus. Jesus’ bride, the church, was pure undefiled and marching on in the Holy Spirit.

Acts 5 offers us book-end examples: Ananias and Sapphira conniving to receive honor and the apostles being overjoyed because they had been given the honor of being dishonored on account of the name of Jesus.


POINT OF ACTION:
We should ask ourselves what actions and motives we are keeping private and out of sight of others. When are we seeking honor versus offering all honor to God. God knows all and wants all to be redeemed for His ultimate glory.


PRAYER:
God all honor is Yours. Help us in our weakness to lift up to You what only You can redeem. Shine a light into our darkness so that we can understand Your will for us.


WHO AM I?
My name is David Norris and I have been married to Gayle Norris for 28 years. Wow! Time flies when you’re having fun. One of the things I love to do is play guitar and Gayle has bought me my 3 most favorite guitars. Gayle and I have attended PRF for 6 years. We came one Sunday to visit, found out they needed a guitar player and a singer, the next week we were at practice and playing in PRF’s praise band. So sweet of the Lord to provide us a place to worship, fellowship and grow.