Right In The Sight Of God

Acts 4:14-19
And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Here was a man, crippled since birth who was over forty years old standing before the most powerful religious group in Jerusalem (the Sanhedrin) -- healed. They were hard pressed to deny what was standing right in front of them. Had they made an issue of this man and tried to say he was something he was not would have been something that would have severely damaged their credibility. Did it matter what they believed? You bet it did matter! Everyone in Jerusalem had seen or knew what had just happened. Egos were hurt and their authority was certainly being challenged. The Sanhedrin had a problem they needed to stop this thing from spreading, so what was their solution? Stop them (Peter and John) from giving credit to Jesus (verse 17, "speak no longer to anyone in this name"). Sounds simple, just tell them to stop.

I love Peter and John's reply, “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.” How often do we, when confronted with opposition to the gospel, sidestep around an issue or even worse be silent? Does it matter what you believe? It matters to God! Today Christians will not stand up for what they believe. Look what happened when God was taken out of our schools. Did we protest in the streets, write congressmen, no we just stood by and shook our heads and let it happen. What about when the Ten commands were taken down off the court house wall, did we say anything? Can’t pray at the ball game or at a social gathering for fear someone might get offended? Once again like a whipped pup we just stool with our heads down and said nothing. Is it any wonder few really believe we are really a Christian Nation? Who will you obey, the world or God? Will you succumb to societal and peer pressure, or will you stand firm in your convictions and beliefs?

But what if the choice isn't black and white -- what if there are different points of view or perspectives? After all, the Bible doesn't speak specifically to every issue on which we may be confronted. I think you can find the answer in the phrase "in God's sight". This really cleans up the doubt (although I don't always like the answer). "Right in God's sight" is not always the most obvious, easiest, least confrontational, or convenient. But it is always right. The next time you feel a little confused on the right thing to do, place it in God's sight. Your decision will become much clearer.
Have you been ignoring or sidestepping around an issue? For example, have you been trying to convince yourself that un-Christian language is okay on the golf course, or inappropriate joke telling is fine as long as it's with your friends? Answer this question, what is right in God's sight? Would you do or say what you do or say if Jesus was standing by your side? Guess what He is!