Today's Devotion

December 10, 2010

In the Face of Treachery

Like little children fighting over whose right and whose not, only with greater consequences, when men don’t get their way they sometimes resort to name calling. Stephen is the next victim of the self-righteous rulers of the world.

“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon [him], seized him, and brought [him] to the council. They also set up false witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; "for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us." And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:8-15 NKJV)

Not able to outsmart or outtalk Stephen’s logic, these wicked men secretly induce men to lie about him. However, Stephen’s appearance was contrary to theirs; he had the face of an angel as he stared into the face of their treachery.

Undaunted by their schemes He then delivers a wonderful history of Israel’s journey (Acts 7:1-50). This he ends with a direct condemnation of his accusers.

“[You] stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers [did], so [do] you. "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, "who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept [it].” (Acts 7:51-53 NKJV)

Of course this brings a response.

“When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with [their] teeth. 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!" Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast [him] out of the city and stoned [him]. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on [God] and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 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 NKJV)

Two things are becoming apparent the more we read of these men in the early church. Frist, their message was simple, truthful, and direct. Second, they did not soften their message because of the power held by those to whom they spoke.
Stephen looked straight into the face of treachery and died praying for his murders’ souls. Willing to suffer for Christ and His Word, he preached the unvarnished truth to the very end.

Friends, let us gather strength to fearlessly proclaim the truth this holiday season. There is no need to dress up the Gospel. Just speak the plain truth in love. Yes, that includes the part where those who haven’t yielded to Christ’s rule stand guilty, condemned to an eternal death in the lake of fire forever separated from the love of God.

That message may not make you popular around the table this Christmas, so speak it while maintaining the face of an angel. Keep your emotions in check so they will see your love for them.

It occurs to me that some of you might think Christmas is not the right time to bring this up. Other than the fact that we are celebrating the birth of our Savior, I guess I can kind of see your point of wanting to keep peace, and not “Ruin” things for everyone. I suppose if you have had a consistent message to your loved ones, giving deference to the mood of the day might have its advantages in the long run. However, don’t deceive yourself into thinking you will do it after the holidays if you haven’t done it before the holidays. Christ’s birth is the perfect topic to transition into the Gospel. If you don’t take this opportunity, when will you?