Don’t Be Afraid of Threats; Do What God Says

Saturday 15th April 2023. Read Acts 4:13-21, Ps. 118:1,14-21, Mark 16:9-15

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man that had been healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.” (Acts 4:13-14)

The Bible says: “The Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom.” (Job 28:28, Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7 & Proverbs 9:10) This implies that anyone who is not afraid of God is just being foolish. Each time we disobey God as a result of the fear of human beings, we act foolishly; that is, we behave as if God is not capable of fighting for us.

Think about the times you had to consent to evil because you felt threatened by someone. Think about the times you gave in to sin because you just wanted to blend with peers or because you wanted to be accepted and praised by others.

When the authorities told Peter and John never to speak again in the name of Jesus, Peter said: “Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20).

Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Peter and John were ready to face whatever comes their way in their proclamation of the Good News. Are you still scared of what people can do to you? Are you scared of letting your light shine? Ask yourself – If I am so scared of dying, is it possible to preserve my life for another hundred years?

Whether we like it or not, we must die but our acts of bravery today will be remembered for hundreds and even thousands of years to come. The only way you can live beyond a hundred years is to shine our light.

Remember that at confirmation, you became a soldier of Christ, and a true soldier knows that it is a mark of honor to die standing. Don’t bow to the enemy; fight to the end. Obey Jesus, “Go into the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation.” Don’t limit yourself to words only, let your good deeds do the preaching. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help me to overcome my fear of human beings. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Easter Saturday. Bible Study: Acts 4:13-21, Ps. 118:1,14-21, Mark 16:9-15)

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu