The best lesson I’ve ever learned is…well, that’s kind of difficult to pick. In all of my years of living, which are getting to be a lot, I have learned so many wonderful lessons from so many different people and experiences. I’ve learned things from my grandparents, parents, husband, friends, and children. I’ve learned things from my school teachers, Bible class teachers, and preachers over the years. I’ve learned things from books, television, and yes, even the internet.

Come to think about it, my whole life, in general, has been one long learning process. I suppose if I had to pick one lesson I would pick the lesson that has helped me the most throughout my life and one that I’m continually learning and applying.

In Acts 5:26-42, we have Peter and the rest of the apostles being brought before the council once again because they just couldn’t stop telling others about Jesus. In the verses prior (17-25) they were in prison because they were healing many and the religious leaders of that day did not like it. In the middle of this we find Acts 5:29-

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

Now I don’t know if Peter was the spokesperson or if they all in unison replied “we ought to obey God rather than men”. Could you just imagine the power behind that statement if all of the apostles with one voice stood up arm in arm and said “we ought to obey God rather than men” while knowing it was going to cause them bodily harm, if not right at this moment, but in 11 short verses?

This statement “we ought to obey God rather than men” is the best thing I’ve ever learned so far in this life.

In this very moment, right here in Acts 5:12-16, Peter and the rest of the apostles were living out Matthew 28:18-20. They were going out into all of the world teaching, healing, and adding to the Lord’s church. The men said “stop”, but God said “go”. They WERE obeying God rather than men. It wasn’t something that they just said. They lived it. It wasn’t an easy task for them. If you continue reading in Acts 5 you reach verse 40-

And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

They were beaten because they obeyed God rather than men.

I don’t know if after that I still would hold onto the “we ought to obey God rather than men” mentality. Odds are we won’t ever face being physically beaten for obeying God. Often we just get excluded, looked at differently, called names, and maybe even “unfriended” because we are obeying God rather than men. When we are confronted with that persecution, we either hide our faith from the world or we go ahead and replace God for men. But these beaten apostles did not waver.

So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 5:41-42

They did not hide their faith. They rejoiced in their suffering for Christ. They taught and preached about Jesus every single day. Even though they were beaten and probably still bloody and bruised, they continued the obey God rather than men. I can just hear Peter say “this black eye? Oh it doesn’t even compare to what Jesus suffered for you and I. Let me tell you all about Him.”

The phrase “we ought to obey God rather than men” is one that I keep hidden in my heart. You see, God is God and men is you and me. Most every decision that I face in this life is either something that will please God or it will please myself. This verse that I cling to is always there in those moments when need to remember whose way is best. It is always there to keep me from getting all consumed with being a people pleaser. It’s still a struggle from time to time. It keeps me from having to choose between God and man. God will and should always win that decision. It keeps me focused on the One whom I’m to obey. To obey God, I need to know what His commandments are. For me this phrase is the best lesson I’ve ever learned because it is a verse that keeps me grounded in God and focused in faith.

By: Kristina Odom