Skip to main content

Consider This: Focus on Faithfulness

 


If you were choosing people to work with during New Testament times, and the two picks were Peter and Stephen, you would choose Stephen every time.

We first meet Stephen in Acts 6 when the leaders needed some men to serve the people. He was an obvious choice as he was “A man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (verse 5). Stephen is strong, wise, spiritual and dependable.

On the other hand, Peter’s life was marked by a series of ups and downs. He was chosen by Jesus (Luke 5) and was the first to understand that Jesus was God’s Son (Matthew 16:16). He walked on the water, but then got scared and sank like a rock (Matthew 14). Peter was ready to fight to the death when Jesus was arrested (John 18:19), but a few hours later, he denied knowing Jesus at all (all four gospels record this low point).

Interestingly, these two men preached two of the first recorded sermons and received completely different reactions. When Peter finished his lesson, his hearers were cut to the heart and asked, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins, and they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (verse 38). More than three thousand people responded. A few days later, five thousand more were baptized.

Stephen’s lesson was almost identical to Peter’s. However, his hearers became violently angry. They dragged Stephen outside of the city and stoned him to death (Acts 7:54-60).

On the surface, this seems unfair. Steady Stephen dies, while unstable Peter is successful. However, God used both of them. The word spread because of their faithfulness. In fact, though he did not get to see it in this life, Stephen’s death caused the Christians to leave Jerusalem, spreading the truth across the known world as they went.

We like to measure results and focus on what we believe will be successful. However, we have no idea how God might use our circumstances, or what good we are doing when we are doing it.

The results are none of our business!

Do the right thing and let God handle the rest.

We are called to be faithful. God will figure out the successful part.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Consider This: What is so Great About Grace?

If you were to drive by our house, you would see that Sara loves plants.  Our yard is full of flowers, and Sara lovingly tends every one of them. Which is why I was so afraid when she left town and put me in charge of keeping things alive. She must have been a little concerned, too, because she sent me two videos with specific instructions on how to water, when to water, and what to do.  Honestly, those first two videos helped, but the third one she sent was the one I liked most.  In that one, she said, “Please do your best. I want the yard to look good for the family reunion in two weeks.  However, if something dies, we will dig it out and pretend that it never existed!” That is what grace looks like!  Try your best, do what you can, but if it goes wrong, it will be ok. Sometimes we talk as though grace and effort are opposites.  That is not true.  They are partners. In one place, scripture asks, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone c...
Post a Comment
Read more

Darkness to Light (Colossians 1:9-14)

 Our transition from lost to found is a gift of God. It is because of God’s grace and Jesus’ sacrifice.  However, our growth in that new life is at least partially our responsibility. So, what needs evaluation?  Where should this growth begin? What does it look like to walk in the light? Colossians 1 highlights three starting spots.  https://youtu.be/1nWWWj4awh8  
Post a Comment
Read more

New Article: Thanksgiving in Real Time

                    Thanksgiving weekend means that many of us will spend time together with family and friends, eat a lot of food and think about what we are thankful for in our lives.   Unfortunately, after that, most will go back to their normal routines and leave thankfulness behind.                   What would happen if thanksgiving were part of our everyday life, rather than something we focused on a few times per year?   Where would we even start?                 According to Philippians 1:18-26, the apostle Paul remained joyful and thankful, even while imprisoned for his faith, by holding on to three important practic...
Post a Comment
Read more