Sep 16
25
What a demonstration of contrast between the way of the wicked flesh and
the way of sovereign grace when God’s servant, Stephen was being stoned
to death for the gospel’s sake. The enemies of the gospel were filled
with rage; Stephen was filled with joy in the Lord (Acts 7: 56; Phil.
3:3). They were occupied with hatred; Stephen was bursting with the love
of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). They were
packed with fear; Stephen was occupied with faith (Heb. 12:2). They were
chock-full of persecution; Stephen was jam-packed with prayer (Acts 7:60).
Oh, what a difference the sovereign grace of God makes in the believer
(Rom. 9:15-16; 1 Cor. 4:7; 2 Tim. 1:9). Oh, how dreadfully wicked is the
way of the sinful flesh (Rom. 3:9-18). Tom Harding