And Saul approved of
his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the
church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of
Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made
great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering
house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison (Acts 8:1-3).
Stephen’s martyrdom, his testimony sealed in
blood, provoked a strong response throughout Jerusalem. Everyone who witnessed
this event or heard about it had an opinion because such a strong, Holy
Spirit-empowered witness pierced the heart and compelled a reaction. Their
response to Stephen’s incredible testimony depended on and revealed the deep
devotion of their hearts. Those who were devoted to protecting the religious
establishment of the day were provoked to attack and persecute the new, growing
community of Christ followers. Those who were leaders of the church were
compelled to regroup, remain in the city, and honor Stephen with a proper
burial. Many who were devoted to Christ were faced with running for their lives
or being dragged off to prison. It’s still true today, that when trials or
persecutions come, our enduring and maturing faith depends on the power of
our devotion.
Devotion can be misplaced. Saul was a
very devout Jew. Listen to his own self-description… “If anyone else
thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on
the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of
Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as
to righteousness under the law, blameless” (Philippians 3:4-6). His
misplaced devotion drove Saul to persecute the church. The Holy Spirit inspired
John to exhort us to be careful about becoming devoted to the wrong people,
places, or things… “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If
anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is
in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of
life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing
away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1
John 2:15-17). Keeping our heart devoted to Christ enables us to be
available and responsive to His leading, and keeps us close to the center of
His perfect will.
Devotion can be modifying. Their
devotion to each other and to caring for the new community of believers drove
the apostles to stay in the city. They could have run like the rest of the
believers, but instead they bravely gave Stephen a proper and public burial.
Their true devotion kept them where God wanted them to be… “For where
your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34). If
our heart is properly devoted to Christ then He will place and keep us where He
can use us for His precious purpose.
Devotion can be motivational. Devotion
to Christ drove the first believers to flee or face prison. They did not love
their lives, but instead many were willing to follow Stephen’s example. They
gave up homes, possessions, and much more because they were so devoted to
following Christ. Perhaps they remembered Jesus’ exhortation… “So
therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my
disciple” (Luke 14:33). The Holy Spirit brings Jesus’ words to our
attention today… “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and
take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will
lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9:23-24).
Renunciation of temporal distractions and increasing devotion to Christ is the
evidence of God’s transforming grace at work in our heart, motivating us on
toward higher levels of intimacy with our Lord and Savior.
As we grow up into Christ, our faith endures and matures despite trials
and persecutions through…
The Power of Our Devotion
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