Why did Jesus come? He came to build a generation filled with His love and faith, to live and die for the glory of God. He came to show us the way and to be the way. He lived the life we are meant to follow. Jesus is the truth, revealed to us through the bloody sacrifice of the cross at Calvary.
Young Stephen wasn't training to be an earthly military officer or to hold an influential position on earth. He was training to be a soldier for Jesus. He died a martyr, bloodied for his Lord and Saviour.
Why was Stephen mercilessly stoned to death? He spoke the truth in love. He forgave his killers before he died (Acts 7:60). He died in the faith because of the truth.
No apostle or believer was willing to compromise the truth for any reason. They were persecuted for following Jesus.
Living for Jesus was everything to the early New Testament believers. They lived together as one (Acts 2:42-47), in fellowship, waiting for the coming of the Lord. They paid the price of following Jesus with their lives.
How clear is the truth to believers today? Many are giving their all to build careers and establish themselves like the worldly. Most believers live like the world, aspiring to positions and possessions that are corruptible (Matthew 6:19).
Israel fell for the same things believers are falling for today:
Love of money that compromises truth for selfish gain and convenience (Micah 3:11; Jeremiah 6:13; Haggai 1:2-4)
Religious hypocrisy that blinds people to the truth (Isaiah 29:13)
Cultural mixing that dilutes the truth (2 Kings 17:33; Hosea 7:8)
Empty traditions that do not encourage godly living and are done just for show (1 Samuel 15:22; Jeremiah 7:4-11)
Distractions that keep people from focusing on the truth (Proverbs 4:25-27)
What does the cross mean to us as believers? Is it worth dying for? Are we growing in the faith, or just ticking checkboxes, hoping to meet a daily, weekly, or monthly quota of time with God? Is Jesus our lifestyle, or a side activity that helps us make a name on earth?
Jesus said His followers will be hated for the truth. In other words, our family life, work life, and other relationships will be tested for the sake of the gospel. Are we willing to lose all for Jesus?
We are in the last days. Faith in Christ is essential, not optional. Prepare to meet Jesus.
Maranatha. Praise God. Amen.
