3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to
lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4 Wasn’t it
yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your
disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not
lied to people but to God.” 5 When he heard these words,
Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. “ Acts 5:3-5
God
is the same through all time. From the beginning of time through eternity, yet
we change based on circumstance, society, culture etc. Right now most of humanity doesn't want to believe or hear that this same God is our God today. The
common theme in mainstream culture is that God is loving and kind (which he
is!) and nothing ele. But He is also righteous, just and jealous! The story of Ananas and
Sapphira illustrate the wrath of God when we are greedy and ungrateful, lying
to the Him. Like any Love-Relationship, God wants our love and honesty.
God’s
grace covers us, but our repentance and obedience is required to truly remain
in it.
1 comment:
Yes, God is a God of both love and justice, mercy and wrath - and we would be wise not to discount His holiness!
17 Then the high priest rose up. He and all who were with him, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 So they arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple, and tell the people all about this life.” 21 Hearing this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.
This portion of the story is rather humorous - I can just imagine the high priests and those in charge of arresting the apostles and their bewilderment when they saw and heard the disciples teaching in the temple. "Didn't we arrest those guys?!" Ha ha! Love it!
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