Conviction........

I wouldn't make a good convict...I don't look good in horizontal stripes! They make me look more "rounded" and heaven knows I don't need that! I've accused David of installing fun house mirrors in our home while I slept!

Today in Sunday school we were studying Chapter 8 in the book of acts. Many things to ponder in that chapter. Odd that the one thing I wanted to come home and study on a little more is "Stephen". We barely even discussed him.

You know a little about Stephen I'm sure. He was stoned to death for his solid preaching of Jesus. Stephen was a man of "first". He was given credit for being one of the first 7 deacons and is generally knows as the first martyr for Christ. Those "7" were chosen to assist the already chosen 12 in the church.There was no doubt as to Stephen's exceptionally good character, and the miraculous power that he had been given by God. It's interesting to note that although Stephen was "just" a deacon, he certainly had gifts and powers from God that were at least equal to that of the apostles:
"And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8 RSV)

Local religious authorities found Stephen to be a great thorn in their side....not because of any wrong doing. They just could not compete with him. He was a serious and growing threat to their misguided hold over the people. The sent some pretty "low blows" Stephen's way..falsely accusing him of things he had not done and in doing so they blashpemed the Holy Spirit which we know was the source of Stephen's wisdom. "they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke." (Acts 6:10 RSV)

What amazes me is that in the midst of being brought before the leaders and unjustly accused of things he had not done, he remained "Calm".

"And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel." (Acts 6:15 RSV)

I'm sure Stephen knew that he was probably not getting out of this situation alive. He spoke the "truth" not holding anything back as not to offend those who held him captive. No riding the fence for Stephen. Read Acts 7 for a more detailed account.

"And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep .

Did you catch the part where he asked the Lord NOT To hold the sin against those that took his life? Amazing....the very people he was asking for forgiveness for were the one who were so "self absorbed" they laid their clothes at Saul's feet so they would not get blood on them.

I was so ashamed reading this account. My dad used to have a plaque in his old Rambler that read "If it were a crime for being a Christian, would their be enough evidence to convict you?
Ouch.

How many of us "water down" the truth so as not to offend people? Or rather than water it down we just don't say anything at all.

Oh to have the Boldness of Stephen...to be able to speak the truth in such a way and to have such character about me that when someone wants to "convict" me that have to make up lies because my walk is so "crystal clear". I'm sure Stephen wasn't perfect, but he knew where is power lay, and it he knew it was not with himself but in the Holy Spirit that lived in him.

No wonder so many of our "so called ministries" in churches and on television don't get off the ground if a majority are led by leaders who wish to call attention to themselves and not the Lord of glory.

Food for Thought.