Lying to GOD – Getting What We Don’t Deserve

Judgement against Ananias and Sapphira for their deception regarding the sale of their property came swiftly. (Acts 5). Both dropped dead at the apostle Peter’s feet.

The story also recounts the reaction to this clear demonstration of GOD and the Holy Spirit’s power. People reacted as one would expect – with great fear! “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.” Acts 5:5, 10-11.

However, the actions of the believing church that followed were not what you would expect from people in fear. We don’t read of believers running away from the church, leaving town and giving up the ministry. Instead we see the church continuing in the mission and the power of GOD doing great work through them.

They’re preaching the gospel and performing miracles and, as a result, more people are believing and joining the church – “more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” Acts 5:12-16

What sort of fear produces such a reaction?

The disciples’ “great fear” was not born of anxiety or worry for their own personal safety. They weren't thinking about danger to themselves. Instead their fear incited a greater reverence and awe in them toward GOD. (Hebrews 12:28-29.)

This type of fear will motivate GOD’s chosen people to joyfully surrender all to GOD and His Holy Spirit.

The believers were newly filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), so they were awestruck that this same power now lived in them. This awareness, increased greatly their honor and respect for the power that was now enabling them to do greater works.

Biblical scholar Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible says the believers’ fear was “not a damp or check to their holy joy, but it taught them to be serious in it, and to rejoice with trembling.”

Two thousand plus years later people still lie, cheat and in other ways break GOD’s law, even believers.

Why does GOD not strike you dead now when you sin against Him and His Holy Spirit?

We actually do suffer a form of death when we break GOD’s law in any way.

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

Our “death” is not a loss of our physical life but a loss of spiritual well-being.

Sin separates us from GOD. For GOD’s children separation from the Father is a brokenness of life. The broken relationship interrupts our spiritual growth.

A believer’s sin is a heavy burden that inhibits intimacy with the Father. We can try to live in both the spirit and the carnal world, but Romans 8:13 shows us we can’t. We cease to feel joy. We become bitter, unhappy complainers, and dissatisfied with life.

However, separation from our Father doesn’t have to be a permanent state for the believer. GOD Himself makes restoration between Him and His children an easy fix. He tells us how in His WORD:

If we confess our sins, He (GOD) is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:9-10

We don’t make things worse for ourselves by pretending that our sin doesn’t exist. We confess, GOD forgives, cleanses us from our righteousness and we are right with Him again.

And we don’t have to keep repeating the sin. With the power of the Holy Spirit that’s in every Christ-follower we can put to death the misdeeds of the body. When we do, new spiritual life with freedom to enjoy the Father again will follow. “You will live.”

So, is there anything to learn from the story of Ananias and Sapphira? 

The instant judgement against Ananias and Sapphira is the only such recorded incident in the New Testament. Under the New Covenant, JESUS’ atoning death and resurrection opened the door to GOD’s grace and mercy for us. 

So, why was it different for Ananias and Sapphira?

Only GOD knows.

GOD’s Spirit can assess the deepest matters of the heart but He reveals to us only what He wants to.  He is the Creator of all and it is His right to do with all as He pleases.

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29.

We take what lessons are revealed and leave the rest to GOD’s Sovereignty and His perfect knowledge.

The take-away for us from Acts 5:1-11 is that to have great fear of GOD’s power with honor and respect for His Spirit makes us truly alive. A reverent awe towards GOD and all things pertaining to GOD enables believers to do the good works that GOD designed for each of us with a pure heart and with joy. (Ephesians 2:10,)

Conclusion

Because GOD keeps His promises, His Spirit-filled, blood-bought children will never know His wrath.

CHRIST JESUS, took GOD’s wrath upon Himself on our behalf so that we can know His grace, should we choose to accept it.

GOD is faithful today to His New Covenant people in CHRIST. He gives us what we don’t deserve when we sin against Him.

GOD gives us mercy.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our Father in Heaven, we stand in awe of YOU! We praise YOUR Holy Name! We thank you that YOU are longsuffering, that YOU do not treat us as we deserve and for YOUR kindness that leads us to repentance. Thank YOU, LORD that YOU show compassion to those who fear YOU, so our spiritual lives are thriving and we can know the joy of YOUR presence. Thank YOU for the Holy Spirit that lives in us and JESUS, our Savior and Redeemer, our LORD. YOURS, Father, is the glory, and the power for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in JESUS’ name. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile