T H E O P H I L U S

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

Acts 4:13

Today’s Scripture Reading: Acts 4:1-31

When we know a truth with absolute certainty, there is no denying it. There is no way to shake that off, and no way in rebutting the fact that it is true. The fact that we are human, and that we have blood and flesh is an undeniable fact. But yet, there are so many moments in our lives when we have denied to say the truth. Being afraid of what others might think and say about us, we either avoided the truth about something in our lives or we have lied completely attempting to cover it up. We have all been there at some point. But what do you do when you cannot escape the truth? You either embrace it and face what others might say or think, or you walk away hoping people would never put two and two together even if it is right there before our very eyes.

Boldness is the opposite of cowardice. It is the act of owning the truth and standing firm ground on not only what we believe to be true, but owning it when we behold the truth. Peter and John knew what the consequences could be when they would proclaim the name of Jesus to the high priests. They neither tried to justify, give alternate explanations, or try to escape from the situation. They owned up to what had just happened with full and complete confidence in the Holy Spirit who was at work in that very moment. Although the priests where highly educated men, they were put to humility by two men who were perceived to be uneducated – Mere fishermen.

Today, put your confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit, and hold to the truth of the gospel. Nothing can refute the boldest of men and women who choose to stand by what is ultimately true. If the gospel is the truth, then it can never be put to shame. Do not be shaken by what others might perceive or how they may judge you, but rather let the truth of the Lord speak for itself and stand firmly by it. It is then you will begin to see God at work even bringing those who claim to be the wisest and intelligent.

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

1 Corinthians 1:27