And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord lay not this sin to their charge. Acts 7:59-60
Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.”
Ecclesiastes 7:21 ESV
The trademark of the believer is the scars we endure, trials, betrayals, and the like batter us to validate that we are true conquerors not hoarders of offense. The more these arise, the better we should become. We are the light of the world, many attempts will come our way to dim that light. Our true test of faith is to continue to shine when all efforts have been made to turn us into the dark world we find ourselves in. Today let’s dive into the art of radiating the light within irrespective of the pain.
The man Stephen, was a devout man, full of faith and power(Acts 6: 8). When the Libertines, Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and the people of Cilician and Asia disputed with him, unable to resist the presence of God and the wisdom of God upon him, they sought to destroy him. According to Acts 6, they conspired against him, set false witnesses, and stirred up people against him (verses 11-14). Here’s where it gets interesting, in verse 15, when the council to which Stephen stood before, looked upon him, they saw his face as that of an angel. This was not a mere physical countenance, Stephen was a man on earth but had a heavenly appearance by reason of an inner transformation. This authenticates one who has truly been with God and represents God. In the life of Moses, this form of transfiguration is seen after his encounters and communing with God(Exodus 34:29-35), Jesus had the same experience in Luke 9:29.
The light we carry as believers emanates from a true relationship with God, and our lives being a reflection of His nature and will. This is the light Jesus speaks of that we are in this world (Mathew 5:14). The world we find ourselves in is no different from the time of Stephen, it is a world covered and blinded by darkness (2Corinthians 4:4). But this is comforting knowing that the nature of this world is not unknown to our God. Hence Jesus said in Luke 10:3 and Mathew 10:16, I send you forth as lambs among wolves be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Signifying that no matter the wicked initiatives that come our way, let the wisdom of God guide and order your steps, to keep your light uncompromised. Stephen irrespective of the weight of persecution, prayed that it may not be laid to their charge, these words of mercy were as a result of the light he carried.
As human as we are, our emotions can have the best of us. This same humanity must also bear with the very same weakness in others to do and speak harm. Jesus knew foremost what was in man, and did not commit himself unto them(John 2:24-25). The same men that hailed him for the miracles he performed, were the same that sought his death. The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9. The heart can be full of emotions that can cause us to act out of character and wicked to devise all manner of ill towards another. But the heart that can allow God to be truly Lord over, search it and see if there be any evil, can be tamed, corrected, and led on the path of righteousness(Psalm 139:23). To obtain a posture as such does not mean ignorance that all men are the same. We must remain cautious but not negligent, neither should we take all that occurs to heart.
Be angry but sin not, commune with your own heart and be still (Psalm 4:4 ESV). The Psalmist understood one thing, that the emotions of the heart can be on rampage but if controlled and discerned on what we allow in, silence would deter us from acting out on all we feel. Guard your heart the bible then says, for out of it flows the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). We can make choices on what we allow into our hearts. What can affect our hearts can affect our lives, what we surrender to God can be transformed and His light can shine through. If Christ is Lord over you, let Him assess your heart, if there be any evil, let His light shine on every dark area, the areas of hurt, stemming from conspiracies, betrayals, and false accusations. Take it not heart, but surrender it at his feet, free yourself from its captivity, and let your life radiate His presence and manifest His glory. Good morning Beloved.