No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.
(Acts 5:13 NIV)
In Acts chapter 5, we learn that sometimes people won’t join your circle not because they don’t like you, but because they’re afraid of what a relationship with you will cost them. After Peter called out Ananias and Sapphira about lying to the Holy Spirit by pretending to be a generous couple, they both died on the same day. That’s a price no one was willing to pay. So although people admired the disciples, they were too scared to join them.
It’s interesting how people can admire your Christian lifestyle, but won’t dare to get close to you because the way you live your life calls them out on the way they’re living theirs apart from Christ. As my friend put it, “They like you from afar.” So the next time you find yourself admired by someone from a distance, it might just be that you’re doing something right and they’re afraid of the change they’ll be required to make if they got to know God better. Our actions speak louder than our words.
Rising with the Son 