The Words of This Life

“And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders worked among the people; and they were all in one accord in Solomon’s porch. But of the rest no one dared join himself to them: however the people magnified them; and believers were the more added to Yahweh, multitudes both of men and women; so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them. And there also came together the multitude from the cities all around Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward, but an angel of Yahweh by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said, Go, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.” Acts 5:12-20

What an exciting time this was in the history of the Body of the Messiah. The power of Yahweh on full display working through the apostles, healing the sick, casting out unclean spirits, prison breaks, and most importantly multitudes of men and women added to the assembly. It’s easy to look around us today and notice that we don’t often see these events happening in the Body. We’re missing something among the body of believers today. In verse 20 the angel tells the apostles, Go, and speak all the words of this life.

What we as believers must recognize is that this faith we have in Yahshua the Messiah is more than just something we talk about and profess in the safety of our own homes. It must be our very life. As the angel instructed the apostles to boldly stand in the temple and profess the “words of this life”, so we as faithful sons and daughters of the Most High Heavenly Father have an obligation to do the same. It really goes beyond obligation though. It has more to do with love and an all consuming passion to serve and please our Father and our Savior.

It’s too easy for most of us to think of this faith of ours as a part of our lives, but it has to be much more than that. It must be our lives. Everything we think and say, and every action we take, must flow forth from our desire to please Yahweh and Yahshua. Whether it’s at home, work, school, or among our brothers and sisters as we worship together, this way of life must shine fort as a bright light from within us.

As we read a little further in Acts 5, take notice of how the apostles conducted themselves. Verse 25 says, “…Behold, the men whom you put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people.” Contrast that with the fearful reaction of the officers in verse 26. “Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.” In verse 29 Peter states, “We must obey Yahweh rather than men.” And we also read of the apostles, “They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Yahshua the Messiah.” (vss. 41-42) We see the boldness and zeal that was abundantly evident in their lives, all because of their total dedication to the life they had chosen in Yahshua.

How Do We Measure Up?

So how do we measure up? Is our faith a way of Life? For too many it’s a once a week social event for an hour or two. I would venture to say our Father desires more of us. Much more. Yahweh must be our life. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 says, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your seed; to love Yahweh your Elohim, to obey His voice, and to hold fast to Him; for he is your life, and the length of your days…”

Have you fully taken on the dedicated life that is required of a believer? Our very thoughts must be consumed with our love for our Father, and our desire to please Him regardless of the cost. Our nourishment must be His word. “…that He might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh does man live.” Deut. 8:3.

The writer of Psalm 119 understood that the words of Yahweh were his life when he said, “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers; for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word. I have not turned aside from your ordinances; for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste! Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:97-105.

In order to successfully fulfill this kind of faithful, dedicated service to our Father and our Savior, we must have something else coupled with the Word. The Holy Spirit must freely and powerfully flow through us. In Acts 4:7 Peter is asked a question by the high priest, “By what power or in what name, have you done this?” Verse 8 says, “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit says to them….” Verse 13 gives us another clue about how we know we are living a life to Yahshua, “Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Yahshua.” How about us? When people look at us do they say, “Now there’s someone who’s been with Yahshua?” Or do we look pretty much like the world around us?

Drawing Near to Him

I’ll ask the question again. Are we consumed by this believer’s life, this faith, this dedication to our Father and His Son? The apostle James gives us some simple instructions on how we can draw near to Yahweh. It’s really easy. “Therefore be subject to Yahweh; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to Yahweh and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of Yahweh and He shall exalt you. James 4:7-10.

Let’s enumerate some of the things we’ve seen it takes to live this life of service we’ve chosen: 1)zeal 2)boldness 3)perseverance 4)dedication 5)feasting on the Word of Yahweh 6)a willingness to accept persecution 7)a desire to draw close to your Heavenly Father. Peter puts together several of these concepts in 1Peter3:13-17, “And who is he that will harm you, if you be zealous of that which is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; but sanctify in your hearts the Messiah as Sovereign: ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, in what you are spoken against, they may be put to shame that revile your good manner of life in the Messiah. For it is better, if the will of Yahweh should so will, that you suffer for well doing than for evil doing”

So what it comes down to for each one of us is do we have what it takes to give everything we have to live our life completely, totally, and passionately for Yahshua. It’s not easy in this world we live in. Then again, I guess it wasn’t too easy for the apostles either. We can probably accept Yahshua’s sacrifice, float along towards salvation and some day see the Kingdom of Yahweh. But our love for our Father dictates a much higher standard for us. We can conclude with another quote from Peter, “But the end of all things is at hand: therefore be of a sound mind, and be sober to prayer: above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covers a multitude of sins.” 1Pet. 4:7-8

Scott Leys