Based on Acts 12:1-17 (New King James Version)
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, ‘Arise quickly!’ And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, ‘Gird yourself and tie on your sandals’; and so he did. And he said to him, ‘Put on your garment and follow me.’ So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, ‘Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.’”
Why would there be a difference between the way the Lord acted with James and with Peter? Why did the Lord allow one to be killed by the sword, James, but miraculously deliver Peter from death? What is the difference between the two? Both were apostles, chosen by the Lord Himself. Did James lack faith? Was James somehow less than Peter? Was James more of a sinner than Peter? Was Peter more spiritual than James, and that is why the Lord delivered him? Did Peter have more faith than James? Was there a greater purpose for Peter than for James? Were more people praying for Peter than for James, and was that what made the difference? As always, it is necessary to view all things through His Word, and especially something as relevant to our daily lives as this, because we do not all have the same experiences, the same opportunities, and even less so, the possibility of the same lifestyle. For truth to be true, it must be true everywhere and for all times. Truth is not subject to nations or eras, because Truth is God.
His Word is very clear that there are no great distinctions among us, in general. The only distinction between human beings before God is between those who choose to follow Christ and those who refuse or reject Him. And even in the dispensation of God's grace, the time we are living in today, the Bible says that God sees Jew and Gentile as similar, that there are no longer differences in the sense of separation. Do not misunderstand. The Jew is still the first whom God seeks to save, and the promise remains that whoever blesses them, God will bless, and whoever curses them, God will curse. But the idea that some are better than others does not exist in God's Word, because we are all sinners. Even those of us who have come to Christ are still greatly imperfect. We are forgiven, and that is the great difference with the rest of the world. And now, we are called to obey God's will, to do the things He commands. This is what we see, as an example, regarding whether there is a difference between one sinner and another: “There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:1-5. So, with this answer, the Lord makes it very clear that there is no difference between one sinner and another. Neither is better than the other. Therefore, we can easily dismiss the notion that one fared better because they were less sinful, and the other worse because they were more sinful. And, does God love one more than another? The answer is: absolutely not. God loves us all equally. The Bible itself says that: “For God so loved the world…” Without making distinctions between one person and another. He loves us all equally. The same sun rises on all of us. The same rain falls on all of us. And of course, the blood of Christ was shed for all equally.
So, what can we understand from what happened between James and Peter? The only thing that should matter to us personally is what we do for the Lord, whether things go well for us or not, humanly speaking, of course, because those who follow the Lord have the eternal hope in heaven. Those who decide to follow Christ, despite the circumstances, despite the difficulties, in whatever state they may be, must always keep in mind that there is indeed a final judgment, where all of us, without exception, will give an account before the Most High God, and we must place all that we are at His disposal, whether little or much, whether we live a short time or many years, whether we are rich or poor. This is what the Word says, for example: “And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:42-48. This is what should concern us most and not making comparisons between us, but God will hold us accountable for what we did with our opportunities, resources, and time, whether we sought to do His will or live our own way. This is what Paul said: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14. There was no one with a clearer testimony of conversion and belonging to Christ than Paul, and if he said that he had not yet attained the promise, then what does that tell us? It is written: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. So, are you more focused on your present circumstances, or are you more concerned that, no matter what happens, God will hold you accountable later, when all this is over? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!