'But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.'
Acts 7:55-60
I remember reading the story of Stephen when I was much younger, and it always made me either sad, scared or confused. But I don't think that this is how God intended us to feel when we read that story. Stephen was the first person to be slain for the gospel of Christ. He was an incredible man of faith - he helped the poor, and he preached with so much power that everyone who heard him believed in Jesus.
So why did God allow this to happen? Why did God allow Stephen to be killed like this? Well, actually, I don't think these are the right questions to ask. God gives us all a choice in whatever we do. He doesn't force anyone to do anything - he's not a dictator, he doesn't restrain us. Stephen knew that God was worth every inch of his life - no matter what, he knew that God was good and he would praise Him and share the good news, even if his life was at stake.
By no means am I saying by writing this to go out and get yourself killed or something like that. All I wanted to ask you guys to consider is how you are going to live out your faith in your daily lives. Are we going to be the ones who act totally different at church than when we are out with friends? Or are we going to live like Stephen, putting God first and devoting our lives totally to Him, because He is worthy, and He is good.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you that you have created me, and you have given me a life to live. Thank you that you always give everyone a choice. Please help me to make the right decisions in whatever I do, so that I can put you first and live my life for you.
Amen
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Loved, Redeemed and Chosen
De TodoLoved - We are loved by the King over all the Earth, who welcomes us into his family with open arms. His love is perfect, eternal and unfailing. Redeemed - Jesus died on the cross to carry all our sins, so that we may be redeemed, forgiven, and live...
