Your Own Company

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. (Acts 4:23)

Jude, in his epistle, issued a poignant statement about the importance of having a home church. It's a cautionary note to all believers urging us to exercise discernment and vigilance about who we listen to. We should ensure that their teachings are solid.

It is important that believers go to their “own company” — a community of believers, a local church, a fellowship where individuals can find grounding and support. Our world is saturated with diverse teachings and ideologies, especially in these days of the internet and streaming. Many preachers sound like they have revelation, but they only have showmanship and marketing abilities. The need for a discerning spirit becomes imperative.

Not every enticing message or charismatic speaker aligns with the truth of God's Word.

I’ve seen it happen way too many times where someone who sat under good teaching began jumping from place to place, from preacher to preacher, seeking spiritual nourishment without discernment. The emphasis is clear: don't hastily embrace every doctrine or teaching that comes your way. Instead, invest time in studying the Word of God for yourself. Individuals drawn by charismatic personalities or enticing messages often find themselves confused and in theological error and spiritual danger. The remedy, as highlighted in Acts 4:23, is to return to their own company—to the community of believers where they are known, nurtured, and grounded in the foundational truths of the faith.

Every believer must find a place where the Word is preached with integrity, where believers are committed to growing together in the knowledge of God, and where fellowship strengthens their faith.

You don’t need a YouTube theologian. You need a church, and you need a pastor.

Practical Application

Pray for your pastor this week. Thank God for the House of Faith He has put you into and if you are led, encourage your pastor through a gift or a card and tell them how much of a blessing they are to you.

Acts 15:22; Psalm 119:63

Your Words Matter

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:28-29)

The Law of Moses was without mercy. If you broke the Old Testament law, you would face an unyielding judgment. With today’s mindset, it’s difficult to grasp the gravity of what it meant to live under the Old Testament Law. But thank God, because of Christ, you and I now live in a time of mercy and grace!

In fact, the Holy Spirit Himself is referred to in this verse as the Spirit of Grace. 

Knowing that we live in a wonderful time of grace and mercy should obviously change how we operate and what we do, right? However, Hebrews tells us that many have tread underfoot the Son of God. It describes a willful disregard and a conscious decision to devalue the sacrifice that Christ made. Paul, (whom I believe penned the letter to the Hebrews), said that those who do this have done despite unto the Spirit of grace. This is not a casual rejection, it’s an intentional act against the Holy Spirit when a person will not listen, not honor, and not heed Him.

How could someone wander so far away from honoring the Holy Spirit? It usually begins with their words. As believers, we should pay attention to what we say, and guard our mouths from speaking against God and against God’s will. The words we utter are not mere sounds; they carry the weight of eternity. In the realm of grace, where mercy triumphs over judgment, our response to the sacrifice of Christ matters. How we talk about God matters. How we honor or dishonor Him with our words matters.

Practical Application

Align your words with Who you believe God is. Speak life, honor, and gratitude when you talk to and about God. Your words matter.

Deuteronomy 19:15; Ephesians 4:30

Willful Sin

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Intentional sin in the life of a believer is very dangerous. The writer of Hebrews said that if we sin willfully and do not have a repentant heart or do not change, we cannot look to the cross as a “catch-all” for the wrong we do. Jesus’ sacrifice is not a loophole for willful disobedience to God’s Word and His way.

The writer of Hebrews wrote to believers not to induce fear and make them serve God out of obligation and servitude, but to make us aware of the only proper response to the benefits of God. We have been sanctified by Jesus’ blood, but we should continue to walk in holiness. If we miss it and sin, we should get back on the path of sanctification through a heart of repentance.

When we deliberately chose a path contrary to God’s way, there will always be consequences, but Scripture also gives us hope. Scripture talks about a good man who falls to the dirt seven times, but still gets up again. His determination and his heart continue moving in a forward motion, even if he fell.

God is not asking you to be perfect or never to make mistakes. He wants you to pursue Him and grow to be more like Him. However, you cannot say that you are striving to know God more, seek God more, or hear from Him more, yet you are deliberately and continuously disobedient to what He says.

The good news is even when we sin, 1 John 1:9 assures us God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God is faithful. He gives us a way out when we pursue a relationship with Him and apply His Word to renew our minds.

Practical Application

When you sin, quickly go to God. We all will mess up and we all will make mistakes, but instead of acting as if sin is no big deal, go quickly to repent before God. Then you will experience His mercy and grace. He will cleanse you and help you move forward.

1 John 5:16; 1 Timothy 1:13