Here’s the link to Acts 5.

The apostles just kept teaching and preaching about Jesus. No matter the consequences, they wouldn’t let up. Because when you’ve experienced the risen Jesus, nothing is threatening anymore. With confidence that in Jesus they had a sure hope of resurrection, opposition to their preaching paled in comparison to losing out on eternity.

Indeed, if there’s anyone to fear, it’s God himself. We see this in the strange story of Ananias and Sapphira. Not having a fear of the Lord is deadly.

To have a fear of the Lord is to have a deep reverence for him and his ways. It’s the recognition that the Lord is worthy of our worship and obedience and living accordingly.

The apostles were willing to face arrest and be flogged in order to be faithful and obedient to Christ. Their fear of the Lord led to their fearless witness. Their prayers for boldness in the previous chapter bear rich fruit in this one.

I think of how I can fear embarrassment or hostile comments because of my witness. If I truly have a fear of the Lord in the biblical sense of that phrase, would I not be a more effective and consistent witness? Would I not be compelled to share my faith in Jesus with as many as possible?

To what extent does our fear of what other people (might) think affect our walk with Jesus?

May God by his Spirit enable us to be fearless witnesses.