Today's Passage: Acts 5

"ALL IN ..."  If you're a fan of The Gambler, Maverick, or even the Ocean's 11 series, you are familiar with this phrase.  There's always that pivotal scene where the main character puts it ALL on the line.  As you watch, you can feel the tension in the possibility that he or she could lose it all and it all comes down to one hand of cards, or one number on the roulette wheel.  ALL IN...based on what? based on chance? based on luck?   We have one guarantee in life--Jesus Christ!  John says in his first letter, "These things are written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."(5:13)  Too many of us live our lives going ALL IN on things in life that have no guarantee. 

Peter went "ALL IN."  ALL IN  for the call of God, ALL IN  for the Gospel, ALL IN  for the glory of the name of Jesus Christ. Peter knew Christ is the only guarantee in life.  He walked with Him, loved Him, denied Him, and was reinstated by Him.  Some of his strongest words in this passage are,  "We must obey God rather than men..."(v.29). Are we living in the same bold obedience here in 2010?  Peter went further than obedience; he was willing to suffer for that obedience.  The chapter goes on to say that "... they [Peter and the apostles] went on their way...rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name."  Paul said in Philippians, " To live is Christ; to die is gain."  God used these and others to write His inspired word so that we would have the Bible.  Their sacrifice and commitment to God is the reason we hold these men in such great esteem.  What does God have for you?  What does He want to use you to do in the lives of others for His glory?

 Are you willing to go ALL IN for Christ?