Counting the casualties
Counting the casualties
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Acts 7:59
I’ve wondered if we should do the same thing in our churches. Should we show the names and pictures of the latest casualties of war? Not the wars being waged in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the spiritual warfare going on in our communities.
We could show the picture of Jerry. His bedroom didn’t look like a battlefield. The only evidence of the battle was the casualty—Jerry’s body lying on his bed. The devil had used depression and drugs to destroy him.
We could show the picture of Jim and Joe. Jim is a teenager awaiting trial for first-degree murder. Joe is in jail for having sexual relations with an underage girl. Jim’s and Joe’s lives are destroyed and so are the lives of their victims. Satan claims more casualties.
We could show the picture of Lynn who listened to the flattery of the guy on the softball team. When her husband learned of the affair, she lost her marriage and her children. In her shame she flees any contact with her Christian friends. The tempter rejoices in another victory.
I’ve changed the names, but the situations are all real.
The victory is sure
Stephen, whose death by stoning is recorded in Acts 7, was also a war casualty. But Stephen’s death was not a defeat. Moments before he was stoned to death, God gave Stephen a vision. “ ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God’ ” (Acts 7:56).
His audience refused to listen to him. Rocks broke his body. But Stephen knew the victory was sure. He had seen the resurrected Christ! In Christ he saw forgiveness of his sins guaranteed and a life that would never end. Jesus was at the Father’s right hand with the entire power of the universe at his disposal. Stephen could place himself safely in the hands of this almighty Savior.
Satan continues to battle against us. But if we ally ourselves with Jesus, we cannot lose. We join Stephen in praying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
The price of victory is high
That doesn’t mean the victory will be easy. It cost Stephen his life.
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