Forgivenessಮಾದರಿ

Unimaginable Forgiveness

I’m struck by Stephen’s boldness. He performed "great wonders and signs" (Acts 6:8) and is described as a man full of God’s Grace and Power who spoke with the Wisdom of the Spirit. Yet, because of his faith and boldness, he was hauled before the Sanhedrin (Acts 6). The Jewish leaders knew they were powerless to convict him, so they produced false witnesses so his trial would stand.

All through Acts 7, as Stephen presents a history of God’s Faithfulness from Abraham to Solomon, Stephen’s focus is on two things. Firstly, that God acts. I’ve counted 24 times in this chapter where God initiated contact, acted to redeem His people, or spoke. Stephen’s recounting of the Israelites’ journey has YHWH at the center. Yet, secondly, he juxtaposes God’s Faithfulness with the Israelites’ persecution of their own people! Those whom God was using to fulfill His Redemptive Plan.

Stephen challenged the Jewish leaders who took this unfaithful behavior to the extreme in their Crucifixion of "the Righteous One" (7:52). Stephen challenged them, "Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute?"

As they were outraged, God acted again – showing Stephen His Glory and Jesus at His Right Hand. This vision gave Stephen the Power and Resolve he needed for his final moments on this Earth. After they took him outside, stoned him, and he was moments from death, he used all his energy to pray for them!

This is Unimaginable Forgiveness! True Forgiveness! Found only in the Spirit’s Grace and Power. Lord, help us all to Love this intensely today!

Written by BREE BOND