The 2023 Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies lectureship focused on church unity and becoming one in Christ. We know Jesus wanted and prayed for this for us (John 17:11, 20-21). For unity to happen, we must consciously – in every time, every way, and every place – choose to obey God over man. It cannot happen if we do not commit to the truth. Just before our Lord and Savior was praying for our unity, he made it clear that God’s word is truth (John 17:17).
In the prior verse (John 17:16), he points out that we are not of this world. Realizing that we are not of this world is refreshing and liberating! It is key to following through on your obedience to God over man.
When man presents some worldly advantage to us if we obey man over God, we already know we are not going to trade some temporary worldly pleasure or advantage for the eternal joy, peace, and security of being in heaven with God. We are not of this world.
If we are threatened by a government or others with great disadvantage, harm, imprisonment, or even death, we will choose to obey God over men. In Isaiah 2:22, the prophet urges Israel not to regard the word of man. This regard for the word of man over the word of God was a key ingredient resulting in their Babylonian captivity. Even today, we must always regard God far above any man or group of men, people or group of people.
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Zechariah, Stephen, John the Baptist, and many others were all willing to lay down their lives, and many, in fact, lost their earthly/worldly lives following God over man. We too must hold God’s word in such high regard that no threat, danger, person or persons, principality, power, or ruler of darkness can separate us from our commitment to obey God rather than man.
“We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:28-29, NASB).