Oh, how I wish the story began differently. But Acts 11 tells us clearly that it was persecution that sent men and women of God traveling throughout the region: "Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch..." (11:19, italics mine).
When a mob comes after your friend, what will you do? Will you disassociate yourself, or will you stand with your friend, or will you turn and join the mob?
Sometimes, 'being a redemptive influence' has deadly consequences. It's impossible to be neutral about Jesus, and your testimony has the potential to drive people to repentance or drive people to riot. Simon Peter experienced the former, while Stephen experienced the latter (see Acts 2 and Acts 7).
I wonder if we get too wrapped up in the experience of Peter, and perhaps we assume that our preaching will win thousands to Christ and elevate us as a great speaker among our peers. God reserves the right to place us in the position of Stephen, and we might find that our preaching of the gospel leads to murder and the scattering of the faithful. But, in that scattering, the gospel of Jesus Christ is carried around the world.
So, Bronx Bethany, are you willing to speak the gospel of Jesus? Even if it costs you your comfort, your job, your life?
No comments:
Post a Comment