By: Jiloml
“Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people."(NIV) Acts 6:8
Bible Reading: Acts 7: 54-60
The Christian life demands so much sacrifice. A sacrifice of whatever thing one holds dear to, before we were saved. Jesus looked at all the glory He had at his disposal, but He did not count it as important compared to our souls that were perishing.Therefore, we also ought to count that sacrifice as more important than any other possessions that we may have.
Jesus made us understand that for one to fully and completely follow Him, he or she must deny himself or herself and take ones cross and follow him.We know what Jesus told the rich young lad. He ought to let go of his wealth. Probably we may not be as rich as that man, but we are rich in certain earthly qualities that the world holds in high esteem.
Stephen’s sacrifice as well as that of the other Apostles, are extraordinary and worth emulating. They went through tribulations and persecutions to make sure that the Gospel is spread to all nations. They never hesitated to defend what they stand for as Christians before wicked men and kings. And for that matter, they died honourable deaths in Christ. This is what made these heroes in the kingdom of God. They simply convicted themselves of the work of God and died for Christ than live for nothing. No wonder the Apostle Paul said that we should imitate him as he imitated Christ.
For us to be effective in the Lord, we must find ourselves guilty of the sacrifice done for us by Christ. We must see that we are not worthy of that LOVE and GRACE Christ bestowed unto us by saving us. It should therefore bring us to our knees and defend him even unto death. As effective Christians, we ought to have the courage of conviction because out of that conviction, the Work of God is done in truth.
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