Bible Reading: Job 36 & 37; Acts 15:22-41
“Men that have has hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Acts 15:26 (KJV)
The gospel is the good news about God and what He has done for mankind through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is a message of hope, freedom from bondage and a glorious life in Christ. Yet, the world is opposed to this message and to those who go about spreading this message. It is not that people dont desire change which the gospel brings, but the god of this world had blinded the minds of people so as not to encounter Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4). So instead of accepting this message, the people tend to mock and even attack those spreading the good news. This dates back many years ago.
During the time of Noah, wickedness took on another level. “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5 (KJV). God sent Noah to prepare the ark to save humanity, yet, all through the building of the ark, man refused to change. Noah must have been derided and scorned at when telling the people that it would rain. So many prophets suffered same fate, some even losing their lives just because they bear God’s word.
Because of His love for man, God now sent His Son to the world. He, too, suffered the same fate, and eventually killed. He continued till the end because He shared the same love the Father has for man. No wonder David asked, “what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 2:8). Stephen connected to this love of God for man and spoke the word boldly. This led to his death.
It only takes love for God and love for man to spread the good news of the Kingdom because the devil does all he can to stop man from seeing the light. Remember, he is the god of this world and the Prince of the air. He orchestrated the killing of Stephen and the persecution suffered today by bearers of the good news. But only a connection to the love of God for man will help us bear the risk and remember there is a reward for you as you go all the way for the gospel.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the love shown to us through Your dear Son, Jesus Christ. Help me connect to this love deeply. Help go all the way for You in Jesus name.
Bro. Onyema Aghanenu