What Matters?

image 59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died. – Acts 7

Stephen hung with the disciples but was never recognized until they needed to pull someone off the bench to replace Judas. He was killed shortly thereafter. What can you say about this short life?  I bet Steven would say that it was full and complete.  His attitude shows here.  “Don’t charge them with this sin [of killing me].”  

That would not have been my attitude.  But that is exactly why Steven was chosen.  He didn’t care how short his life was.  He cared for little else but seeing people follow Christ.  Nothing else mattered.  Nothing.  He was not a showboat.  He was not a misguided crusader. His prayer proved that he was the real deal. Absolutely nothing else mattered except people coming to know Christ.  Nothing.

Can the same be said of me?

Can the same be said of you?

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This post has 3 comments

  1. Wow, that is such a powerful reminder. With our super comfortable lifestyle in the US, I often wonder how my faith would hold up under big time persecution.

    God, keep me focused and determined to spread your truth, and grow me strong in faith.

  2. Your statement is somewhat misleading: Stephen was not selected to replace Judas; Matthias was (Acts 1.26). Stephen was chosen as one of the first seven deacons (Acts 6.5).

    But in a sense that makes this entire incident (all of Acts 7) come even closer to "where I live": Stephen wasn't on the "A" team – so what? He stepped up and God used him in a way that was just as bold and powerful. [Ditto for Philip (Acts 8).]

    That tells me that even us "little guys" who may never be in the spotlight can still be used by God, as we become "full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" like Stephen was. God loves EVERY ONE of us and has given EACH of us a place and purpose in His kingdom.

    I'm so thankful for that, and want to respond to His love by hearing His Spirit and obeying Him, more than anything else.

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