Written by Mark Driskill:
Tuesday January 4, 2011
Read Acts 4:15-20
“for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard…”
The best way to measure the validity of a belief system is to simply ask who is in control of it. One primary difference between religion and a transformed life in Jesus is that religion can be controlled externally but a transformed life simply cannot. Here we see the leaders of the religious establishment seeking to control the spread of the gospel with edicts, restrictions and warnings.
If Peter and John had simply been trying to start a religion about Jesus they would have no doubt seen the political advantage of toning it down at the command of these leaders. If this were just some sentimental group of Jesus devotees wanting to create a religion about a martyr they would have certainly acquiesced to the request, packed up and headed out for a more welcoming venue for their new religion. Here I find one of the most compelling reasons for believing that the Apostles were telling the truth about Jesus’ resurrection.
The disciples had experienced something they could not hold back. No amount of threats or coercion could make them stop talking about the one who rose from the dead. In fact, they couldn’t even stop themselves! Something greater than religion had happened to these followers of Jesus. It was something that each of them eventually died for. Not one of them backed down in the face of death. No one ever recanted. Religion is something we can calculate and measure out our commitment to. We can decide to tithe this much, attend this many services, even read the Bible and pray. We can measure out how much we want to give to our religion and still maintain a grasp on the things we want in life. But the transformation Jesus invites each of us to is much different.
When a person really makes contact with the real Jesus, and breaks beyond the screen of religion, an explosion of love and faith takes place in the heart. A power is unleashed that cannot be held back. This wonderful salvation makes greedy tax collectors give their money away, immoral women pour out their most expensive perfume, and fishermen walk away from the family business. It makes Apostles look death in the face and say, “we just can’t help it.”
Do you and I have this kind of relationship with Jesus? Are we captivated by a love that is so compelling that we cannot control it? Paul wrote of this when he said, “The love of Christ compels us…” When Jesus comes into your life you get more than a set of principles to live by or a new diet. You get supernatural power that invades every sector of your life. You find yourself loving people you would never love on your own, taking steps in life you would never naturally take, and giving yourself in ways you could never imagine. Beware then, of a Christianity that is easily managed and measured out. If you are in control of your religion, then you may not yet have truly met the savior, or you may simply have not totally surrendered your life to him and been filled with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of his (or her) innermost being will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38) Religion produces a stagnant pool of tradition. Transformation produces a wild unstoppable river of life. Which best describes your experience today?
Mark Driskill and his wife Mary are homeschooling community ministers in Breathitt County Kentucky. They have four children. They co pastor Emmanuel fellowship Church, serve as Camp Pastors at Bethel Mennonite Camp, and Mark Teaches at Oakdale Christian Academy.
Mark is web minister for Begotten by theWord , a ministry of Helping Hands Christian Resources.
Once a month he preaches on the local radio station through the “Lion of Judah” program. Mark also preaches in youth rallies and revivals upon request at no charge. Their vision is to see true spiritual awakening come to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and to the nation.
Contact information:
Email: driskill@hilbillymail.com
Facebook: Mark Driskill
Address: PO Box 1159 Jackson KY.
