Dying To Self - Look at Acts 7:54-60

Stephen was falsely accused by the Jewish leaders in the book of Acts.  In chapter 7, he was literally stoned to death out of anger, hatred and pure vengeance by “spiritual” people.  His response?  DYING TO SELF!  Read about it in Acts 7:54-60.

Take a few minutes to read Acts 7.  What would it take to be able to do what Stephen did?  It could be argued that these people that stoned Stephen did not receive the message that Stephen preached to them and so he wasted his time proclaiming the divinity of Jesus to them.  If they wouldn’t have received the message either way, wouldn’t Stephen have been better off not stirring them up to anger and getting killed?  Think of all the poor people he could have helped with the rest of his life on earth.  Think of all of the other people he could have shared the gospel with that would have received it with open hearts.

But there was a resolve within Stephen to proclaim the truth, regardless of the consequences.  He was obedient to the call to share the good news, even if that news ultimately got him killed.  It can be easy for us in 21st-century America to say that we would do the same thing in his situation, but I have the feeling that many of us would find that decision much harder in the moment.

Our call to “die to self” daily is truly something that can only be accomplished through the divine, miraculous power of the Holy Spirit within us.  It is absolutely a miracle every time we put the flesh to death.

Today, as you read this, I invite you to pray this prayer with me: “Lord, whatever may come my way today, help me to die to myself and live for you.  If it means not fitting in, that’s okay.  If it means being mocked, that’s okay.  If it means threats of violence, that’s okay.  You are my daily bread.  You sustain me through every trial.  So today, work within me the miracle of dying to myself.  In doing so, may I point others to you.  Amen.”  #dyingtoself