Good News from Stony Creek Church of Christ

Are you still fighting against your Maker?

Isaiah 45:9-10 gives two humorous illustrations. Imagine a pot on the potter’s wheel looking up and saying to the potter, “What do you think you are doing?” Or a newborn being born, asking its mother, “Why did you make me like this?” Foolish thoughts, are they not?

Would you agree it is foolish to argue with your Maker? But if I am honest, the person I have fought against more than anyone else in my life is God. I have fought Him nearly the whole way. If you were honest, He is someone you have fought against, too. Perhaps you still are.

Just as Joshua records God’s conquest of Canaan city after city, Acts records God’s conquest of heart after heart by the gospel, in city after city. Yet, some fought God along the way.

In Acts 4, it was the Sanhedrin who arrested Peter and John, then threatened, released, and told them not to speak about Jesus anymore (vs. 25-26, Psalm 2:1-2).

In Acts 5, it was the Sanhedrin again, but Gamaliel warned them not to “be found fighting against God” (vs. 34-39).

In Acts 7, Stephen warned them that the Holy Spirit was trying to communicate with them through the Scriptures, the apostles, and now through Stephen, but they had hardened their hearts and were fighting against Him (vs. 51-53).

In Acts 11, Peter had finally come to learn God’s lesson and his conclusion was “Who was I that I could withstand God?” (vs. 17)

Look at one more example. In Acts 9, Saul had been fighting God all along. He consented to the death of Stephen in Acts 8:1a. He was causing havoc and persecuting the church when the gospel was spreading throughout all of Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1b-3). He was actively fighting against God on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians (Acts 9:1-2), when he was confronted by the risen Lord, Who said, “Saul, Saul… It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’” (Acts 9:4-5). A goad is a pointed stick used to direct stubborn animals. The harder they kick, the more they hurt themselves.

Jesus had been goading Saul, but he had been kicking against Him. While Jesus is certainly “the GREAT Shepherd” to those who hear and come to Him, Jesus is also a Shepherd to the lost, constantly goading people to show them there is a better way.

Here is your question: Are you kicking against His goads? Are you still fighting against God?

The main way that God goads us is with His word (Hebrews 4:12-13). His word convicts our conscience. He gets into our hearts. He makes people feel uncomfortable. Have you fought against what God says because you do not want to do it? God says, “Put away lying” (Ephesians 4:25), yet we justify dishonesty because it keeps us out of trouble, makes life easier, helps us make a sale at work, or whatever our reason. Deep down we know it is wrong. We hear or read it, feel guilty about it, but instead of submitting to it, we harden our hearts against it. We fight against God like that (with different sins or instructions) all the time.

His word is like a sword that penetrates to the deepest parts of our being, exposing our thoughts and intentions (Hebrews 4:12-13). We see this often in Scripture.

Like in Acts 7, God pierced their hearts, only for them to fight against Him and His teacher (Acts 7:54). In Acts 2, God pierced their hearts, only for them to ask what they needed to do to make themselves right with God (Acts 2:37). Peter by inspiration responded, “Repent and be baptized for the remission (forgiveness) of your sins” (Acts 2:38). Do you keep fighting against God on this matter? We are all called to repent and be baptized (Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; 1 Peter 3:21; etc.). Yet, for whatever reason, many keep sitting in their sins and have not washed them away (Acts 22:16). Why not stop fighting against God, as the 3,000 did on Pentecost, and submit yourself to God’s will and be forgiven (Acts 2:41)?

The question is not whether God is still goading you. Through His word, He is. The question is whether you will keep kicking against the goads or finally surrender to your Maker.

Visitors are welcome and valued. We meet at 15530 Herriman Blvd., Noblesville. Our phone number is (463) 287-0664. We meet for Sunday morning Bible Study at 10 a.m. and have classes for all ages. Worship begins at 11 a.m. and we have a Bible Study Wednesdays at 7 p.m. A warm welcome awaits!