By Lisa Wilmore
…When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth….Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:54-60).
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
What is your response to people when they openly oppress you and/or eagerly execute your character? Do you hope within your heart that God will “Get them” or cause harm to come into their lives? What is your response when people say derogatory or unkind things about you or your family for no reason at all?
It is very disappointing but factual that sometimes your name and character will be in ungodly conversations that will cause other people to look at you differently or treat you in a manner that is totally opposite to the way God requires us to treat each other. However, be reminded that they talked about Jesus, and we are no different.
In our noted Text, Stephen, who was appointed as a deacon by the Apostles, declared the Word of God to the people and was stoned to death because of their distaste of what he proclaimed. The council of religious leaders falsely accused him in the same way they accused Jesus (Matthew 26:59-61). He, like Jesus, exposed their blindness and lack of obeying God’s Law. Stephen was not merely defending himself but giving them a review of history during Moses’ time and sharing his faith in Jesus Christ, the one they had persecuted and crucified. Stephen was stoned because of his willingness to share the TRUTH, Jesus Christ.
What do you do when people say things about you or persecute you for no reason or in Stephen’s case for telling the TRUTH? How do you handle their hatred and cruelty that could have a negative impact on how others view you?
When the people were stoning him, Stephen did three things that I would like to suggest during your time of stoning.
1) Look to Heaven: “But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:56)
2) Call on the name of the Lord; “And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:59)
And 3) Forgive them: “Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” (Acts 7:60)
Jesus Saves!
