Never easy

August 12, 2021 (Thursday)

 

The opposition to Christ is not very creative. The pattern is always the same. Let’s take a look.

 

Let’s look at the story of Stephen’s death. “Stephen, who stood out among the believers for the way God’s grace was at work in his life and for his exceptional endowment with divine power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.” [Acts 6:8 CEB] I like the thought that Stephen stood out. At least that was his reputation. It seems “full of grace and power” [ESV] is a serious compliment, and lightning rod.

 

A coalition was formed against him because of the exercise of this grace and power. This is step one the opposition must achieve. The ideal is to begin to form a general social movement against a leader. We see this operating over and over throughout history.

 

Step two is found in the tail end of Acts 6:9, “…rose up and disputed with Stephen.” [ESV] I’m never sure if I should laugh or cry when people come up with what they think are smart arguments against God. If I had a dollar for every time I heard, “Can God create a rock so heavy He can’t lift it” and similar questions, I’d be a rich man. These things arguments are recycled to the point of nausea. For instance, some people have found Bertrand Russel like he was conclusive proof against Christianity. The funny part was he was consistently baffled and humiliated by the agreements of C.S. Lewis.

 

Predictably, “But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” [Acts 6:10 ESV] The reality is that on a really bad day, if possible, God were to go “brain-dead,” He would still be way smarter than the smartest of the smartest human times infinity. It’s not fake bravado when Paul declares, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” [1 Corinthians 1:25 ESV]

 

Step three, is the opposition will generate an accusation, a lie. “Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” [Acts 6:11 ESV] Notice this is the same pattern used to crucify Jesus. When you see Christians falsely accused or characterized, it is what it is: satanic.

 

Steps four and five are found in Acts 6:12, “They stirred up the people, the elders, and the legal experts. They caught Stephen, dragged him away, and brought him before the Jerusalem Council.” [CEB] The coalition expands its influence into the population and political leaders. They produce an emotional response against the symbolic object of their hatred. The next step is to generate legal action against Stephen. This includes false information.

 

When engaged with those who hate Jesus, remember these words, “It’s a trap!” Step six demonstrates this, “The high priest asked, “Are these accusations true?” [Acts 7:1 CEB] There is a reason the American legal system gives us the “right to remain silent.” The reality is because “anything you say can and will be used against you.” There is no escaping a mind that is closed.

 

Of course we know “the rest of the story.” Remember Jesus said, “And everyone will hate you because you are my followers….” [Mark 13:13a NLT] The best answer to hatred is… “But love your enemies…” [Luke 6:35a ESV] Following Jesus ain’t easy, eh?