imperfect instruments

As a young camp counsellor, I had strong opinions about what constituted a good camp speaker. When Mr. B stood up to speak at the start of camp, I just knew we were in trouble. Yet, God used this imperfect instrument in an incredible way to reach into the hearts of many that week, including myself.

In Acts 4, the Jewish leaders were alarmed that the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They detained Peter and John for questioning. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, responded powerfully to their questions. He spoke with God’s power and even the Jewish leaders took notice. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (v. 13).

After deliberating amongst themselves, these same religious leaders exercised their human authority by commanding Peter and John to stop speaking in the name of Jesus. I love Peter and John’s response: “...Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (vv. 19-20).

It is intriguing to me that when Peter spoke with God’s power, people paid attention. Yet, when the Jewish leaders exercised their authority, which in this case was contrary to God’s desires, it had little effect. It’s a good reminder that the most powerful authority that we wield as Christian leaders is the authority that God entrusts to us by His Spirit. God’s power can make a huge difference in and through imperfect instruments.