Secret Persuasions

"Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, 'We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God'" (Acts 6:11).

We serve God! God, who brings the hidden things into the light (Ephesians 5:13-14, First Corinthians 4:5); God, who sees what is done in secret and rewards us openly (Matthew 6:1-18).

It's a dangerous thing to make plans that are contrary to the mandate of God. Remember, this is God who speaks to His ministers and prophets. The King of Aram learned this when he asked his servants whether any was betraying him: "'None of us, my lord the king,' said one of his officers, 'but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom'" (Second Kings 6:12).

Nothing is clandestine. God sees and knows everything.

Jews from the Synagogue of Freedmen planned a secret campaign against the ministry of Stephen, and God in turn empowered Stephen to preach His truth before the Sanhedrin. Instead of silencing the word of God, Stephen's martyrdom only served to expand the wave of new converts to Christianity.

Judas Iscariot planned a secret campaign, agreeing to betray Jesus. Jesus was condemned to the cross and Judas experienced the guilt of that betrayal, so much so that he took his own life.

In both these instances, the end result seemed to not be a success for Stephen or Jesus- after all, they both died unjustly. Is that success? YES.

In their deaths, they spoke a word of forgiveness to their persecutors.
In their deaths, they opened the door for the spreading of the gospel throughout the world.

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds" (John 12:24).

There are only two options: the secrecy of betrayal, or the openness of identification with Christ. And yes, that open identification might ultimately result in your death. But guess what? Before you die, God will tell you some things. He will give you His wisdom and insight and knowledge, and you will be positioned to do miracles and wonders in His name. Before your candle is extinguished, you will have a chance to burn so brightly that the world will see Jesus in you.

Holy Spirit, I pray you will give Your people boldness. Give us the capacity to raise Lazarus and to work wonders. Give us a fearlessness in living for You, Jesus, especially when no one is watching. Help those of us who serve You to embrace the sermon we heard, so that we will be able to speak truth in the face of power. Cause us to triumph- not the world's definition, but Your definition of success. O God, how we love You! Help us to live out that love without fear, in Jesus' name. Amen.