Devotion:
Read Acts 7:54-60.
How can we learn to control our natural tendency to lash out against those who hurt us? We know our responsibility as Christians is to forgive, but we can easily be overwhelmed by feelings of hurt and anger. Our reading today highlights a powerful example of forgiveness. Stephen was facing a mob filled with hate and plans to kill him. Scripture tells us Stephen was a "man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit." He was "full of God's grace and power who performed great wonders and signs among the people." When the people began to stone him, he fell to his knees and cried out a prayer of forgiveness, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
Similarly, Jesus, Son of the Most High God and full of the power of the Holy Spirit, was on the cross facing an angry mob who wanted him dead. With love and mercy, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
Notice the similarities we see in both men. They were Spirit-filled men dying at the hands of hate-filled angry mobs. Both Stephen and Jesus forgave. Let's return to our earlier question, "How can we learn to control our natural tendency to lash out against those who hurt us?" We need to fight against our natural tendency and use God's supernatural power to forgive. If Stephen and Jesus can forgive, we certainly can.
Personal Worship Option:
Thank God today for the forgiveness he has extended to you. Is there someone you need to forgive?
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