December 5, 2022
Committed to Your Convictions
Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. (Acts 6:8)
Beloved one do you know what to stand for and not to stand for? Stephen was the first Christian martyred. He had a great influence on the people. Fearing the loss of their own influence, Jewish leaders captured Stephen and brought him before the city council members. In his defense, Stephen displayed his unwavering convictions. In the face of the authority members of the council had the power to execute him, he stood strong and expressed what he knew to be true, both about Christ and the religious leaders’ hard stubborn hearts. Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died. (Acts 7:57-60)
Stephen’s straightforward manner leaves the religious leaders with no argument, they could only throw rocks. Yet even this did not move or shake Stephen. He dies, gazing into heaven, asking God to forgive his murderers. Where did Stephen’s commitment come from? You can see where his commitment came from when you consider his words and sense his attitude:
1. He had the presence of God in His life. (Acts 6:8,15)
2. He based his commitment on a biblical foundation.
(Acts 7:2-38)
3. He saw the error of past thinking. (Acts 7:39-41)
4. He spotted the resistance of the religious leaders
(Acts 7:51-53)
5. He kept his eyes on Jesus, the truth. (Acts 7:55)
6. He maintained his perspective. (Acts 7:60)
Commitment always moves past the mind and emotions and goes straight to the will. The ancient Chinese said that the will of a man is like a cart pulled by two horses: the mind and the emotions. You must get both horses moving in the same direction to move the cart. Commitment results when your mind and emotions move forward, whatever the cost. Leaders cannot expect followers to make commitments deeper than the ones they make. To develop commitment, we must understand these truths:
1. Commitment starts in the heart. Commitment precedes achievement. Look inside, where is your heart committed?
2. Commitment is tested by action. The only real measure of commitment is action. Talk is cheap, but action is expensive.
3. Commitment opens the door to accomplishment. Once you commit yourself, all kinds of resources come your way to help you succeed.
4. Commitment can be measured. Leaders must evaluate their calendars and their checkbooks to measure their commitment.
5. Commitment enables a leader to make decisions. Leaders must determine what’s worth dying for, then make that the basis for decisions.
6. Commitment flourishes with public accountability. Go public with your commitments; then you have the incentive to follow through.
How committed are you to following Christ?
