"Lost In Sin" -2

When we look at the Book of Acts chapters three and four, we can see a manifestation of the not only the use of Psalms Two, but an illustration of it being lived out in real life. Matthew Henry puts it like this; "As the foregoing Psalm (One) was moral, and showed us our duty, so this (Two) is evangelical, and shows us our Saviour." There is only one way to be delivered from the bondage of sin, and that is by surrendering our lives completely over to our Lord Jesus Christ. There are several different meanings to the word 'bondage' that are used within God's Word, but to really understand the bondage of sin, a person must see what he is, and what it requires to be delivered; otherwise, we might be free from the slavery of sin, but still a slave and act accordingly. Sin involves a really big world, and the world in which we live is the product of some very horrific sin, committed both by common man and dignitaries; but all sin involves desires of the heart, whether they be pleasure, riches, or power, they are born in the heart of man. But of all three areas of sin, I believe the strongest is that of power; for it is power makes a man feel closest to being god like. In Acts 3:1-10, as Peter and John were heading into the temple, we see the power of God demonstrated in the healing of a forty year old lame man who had been lame from birth; most likely born with a very sever abnormality, such as a whithered leg, or legs; but it is obvious by the reactions of the people that knew him, that there was no denying that he was born a cripple. Peter then begins preaching to the people gathered around, and it says that the number that believed him were around five thousand. This did not sit well with the rulers of the temple, and they held Peter and John over night until the next day, when all the rulers, elders, scribes, and the high priests could be gathered together. Then they set them in their midst and asked, "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" (Acts 4:7) Then Peter, being filled with the Holy Ghost, tells them that it was by the power of Jesus Christ, whom they crucified, and that God raised from the dead; by which there is salvation given in non other. And here is the part that confirms the power of sin, especially that of power; for it says that they marvelled at these men Peter and John, remembering that they had been with Jesus, and then beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. Yet they, being those which were considered men of God, denied the power of the Living God; and having counseled together, so as to stop this from spreading any further, instructed Peter and John to speak no more nor teach in the name of Jesus. "But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have heard." (Acts 4:19 & 20) At which time they further threatened them, and then let them go for fear of the multitudes that believed them. After which a great revival spread throughout the church; to the point where everyone sold their possessions and came together in one accord. Now, Who had the last laugh in that? "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision." (Psalms 2:4)