Choices: The Test of Faith
Sometimes, evidence is indisputable. When this is the case, the one displaying wisdom will drop opposition to an argument proven wrong by the indisputable evidence, admit the error, and make the necessary corrections. The fool will not.
By the time of the first century, the position of the high priest was a bought-and-paid-for position. Tangled in both Jewish and Roman politics, the man holding this office, along with his family, was afforded a fair amount of respect and comfort. To do anything that might rock the boat and lose the position would certainly be viewed as foolish by most. What, though, if evidence demanded a change of heart that would lead to this political suicide? The high priestly family found themselves in just that position.
Both Annas and Caiaphas had already had the opportunity to acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, but instead chose the coward’s way out. Once again, the pesky Jesus question presented itself when the apostles Peter and John were brought before them for irritating the Sadducees by teaching that Jesus had returned from the dead. When asked by whose authority they taught and acted, Peter unabashedly answered “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead” (Acts 4:10). Standing with the apostles was a most unusual piece of evidence. Refusing to leave their side was a former invalid who gained the ability to walk through this power of which Peter spoke; he literally stood as irrefutable proof of Peter’s claim. The high priest and his family could not deny a great miracle had happened; indeed, the man who had been lame from birth and now was over 40 years old had been a fixture at the temple as he begged for daily provision. In an understated manner, Luke writes, “But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition” (4:14). The message and the evidence were clear; would these members of the religious elite sacrifice their earthly comfort for a heavenly reward? Wisdom would say yes; however, in foolishness, they rejected the Lord Jesus once again. Their threats had little impact on the two fishermen who years earlier had made a wise choice. Their faith stood strong with the bold statement that “we cannot but speak what we have seen and heard” (4:20). Though the remaining years of their life would be upended by this decision, they knew their eternal reward was well worth it.
Every Christian should ask and personally answer the following question: In the above account, which best represents me? At first blush, the answer seems easy. Like Peter and John, the faithful of God note that a commitment has been made; however, what happens when the commitment is put to the test? Will the wisdom of the apostles still be chosen, or will the foolishness of the high priestly clan prove a seemingly insurmountable choice?
In what feels like living in a dystopian novel, ideas that once would have been considered rubbish are marketed as the bravery of individual choice. The Frankensteinian monster of Postmodernism haunts the halls of government, the boardrooms of commerce, and the classrooms of primary, secondary, and post-secondary education. Its goal is to laud individualism with the threat that any who oppose are either uneducated or unloving buffoons. Christianity has come into sharp focus as this debate has raged, with many who confess belief in Jesus’ name coming under pressure to change their beliefs when they collide with popular culture. Sadly, a fair number of Christians and religious organizations have succumbed to the pressure. They have bowed to the command to “speak no more to anyone in this name” (4:17b).
Though some have boldly stood for truth in these situations, the vast majority of American Christians have yet to have such an experience. If the speed of the Postmodern movement continues at its current pace, this statistic will quickly change. Each child of God must honestly evaluate if (s)he has the necessary faith and strength to stand for Jesus and His truth when the pressure is applied. This evaluation begins with assessing the reason for faith: Is it a commitment to Jesus or the idea of Jesus? The apostle Paul spoke to this point when he stated, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). If faith in a risen Savior is not genuine, it will quickly corrode.
Another necessary evaluation is determining what one will willingly give up to maintain the purity of faith. Jesus knew that trials would come and in His inaugural address of the kingdom stated, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). Is Jesus worth more than a promotion, job, or career? The people of God may soon have to answer this question with a bold stand for truth.
Ultimately, the question comes to the choice of here and now versus eternity. Peter and John could have had a peaceful life fishing the Sea of Galilee, without ever having to deal with the high priest and his ilk. They could have grown old with family surrounding them and allowed the voice of an Itinerant Teacher calling them to follow to become only a faint whisper of the past. However, they saw something they wanted; they desired an eternal relationship with the Son of God. Whether the years to come hold peace or pressure, may every child of God cling to the same God as these two ancient men whose words still inspire today. May each Christian stand firmly with the two apostles and show boldness when pressured by those who choose foolishness. The path may be hard, but the wise choice will reward in a measure beyond words!
