The Cost Of Faith

As we speak, our world is quickly being divided into wheat and tares (weeds), sheep and goats, the righteous and the lost. This great chasm is developing before our eyes and was spoken of by Jesus (see Matthew 13). The redeemed of the Lord are rising up and speaking out boldly on sin and the need for Salvation, while those that hate God are defiantly defending evil, much like the people in Jesus’ day killed the Gentle Healer and embraced Barabbas.

The cost of our faith is real. Young Stephen was so bold in his faith, unafraid to call out sin, and God’s blessing was upon him…  “He was full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). But the opponents of Stephen were “unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking (Acts 6:10). When reason was abandoned, the leaders turned to political games and violence (sound familiar?). They decided to falsely accuse him of blasphemy knowing that it was punishable by stoning. Today we call this tactic kangaroo courts, but God allowed this martyrdom. Why? Because the death of young Stephen ignited the spreading of the Gospel like nothing else could.

His final words are such an encouragement to us, reminding us that we are never alone in our support and love for God. As they were stoning him, blow after blow, “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look!” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55,56).

I wonder if the Lord brought Stephen with Him to meet and welcome Charlie at the gates of Heaven? May we all live with such commitment to our Lord! It’s way past time to try to please the god of this world AND the God of heaven. “Choose ye this day whom you will serve,” is the cry of this hour, but know, there is a cost to our faith.

(Devotional by Cheryl Hall-Laos)