Loving God Fellowship - Living and Dying for Christ

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Acts 7:54-60- Living and Dying for Christ

Religionists live and die for religion and tradition hanging on to the status quo with a white knuckled intensity. Christ followers live and die for Christ and for Christ alone.

All through Acts chapter 7, Stephen is giving a defense in response to the religionist of His day trying desperately to hang on to the status quo. They feel threatened that Jesus and His followers were going to bring change to their religious structures including the Temple and the Law. Instead of embracing the change that Christ brings, they resort to lies and the spreading of fear in order to hang on to what they are accustomed. Stephen takes a stand for faith and justice. He lives and dies for Christ and Christ alone.

In the paragraph of Scripture as given to us in Acts 7:54-60, the religionists break the Roman law which prohibits them from executing a death sentence. As a mob, they react to Stephen’s stand for faith and justice. They kill the messenger and God’s instrument of grace. Instead of making the right choice, repenting of their religious ways and following Christ, they make the wrong choice and choose religion over Christ. Their actions show how religion is full of anger and leads to death and not life.

As I read this paragraph of Scripture, it is Stephen’s reaction that catches my eye and speaks volumes into my life. Notice with me:

Stephen the Christ follower, even in death, kept his eyes fixed on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of faith (Acts 7:55).
Stephen the Christ follower left this world praying to Jesus and releasing himself to Jesus’ care (Acts 7:59).
Stephen the Christ follower prayed for his enemies as they violently attacked and killed him (Acts 7:60).

What a picture of Christ portrayed by a follower!

Religionists hang on to the status quo, they lie, spread fear, grow angry and even kill, but not Christ followers. Christ teaches His followers how to live and how to die, not how to kill. He teaches His followers how to stand for faith and justice. He teaches His followers how to pray, even for those who mistreat and abuse them due to their Christ exalting stand.

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and allow Him to perfect your faith on your journey from earth to glory (Hebrews 12:2). It is an exciting and rewarding journey.

Know that you are loved,

Rev. Greg Johnson
Founder
LovingGodFellowship.org

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So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. ~ (Romans 10:17 ESV)