What have you had to sacrifice for this gospel?

Stephen knows a thing or two about sacrifice.

He is known as the first martyr following Jesus’s resurrection. ⁣

He sacrificed his life because he would not move from what he believed. ⁣

So what have you had to sacrifice?

Friends?

A certain lifestyle?

Family?

Money?

Time?

Energy? ⁣

It’s a sacrifice to be “all in” with this gospel.

Sometimes we get a nice groove going, where we are focused on the fun and joy.

And other times we are painfully aware of what we are sacrificing. ⁣

But here’s where I think Stephen teaches us a valuable lesson. ⁣

His last words were:

“Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”⁣ (Acts 7:60)

Stephen sacrificed with a spirit of forgiving and love. ⁣

We are all sacrificing…

But HOW are we sacrificing?⁣

Is it with resentment?

It is longing for things we are missing?

Is it self-pitying or self-righteous?⁣

Or do we GLADLY sacrifice? ⁣

Out of love for the Lord and for those around us.

Not holding resentment for anyone.

Maybe even forgiving others for forcing us down paths that require a lot of sacrifice. ⁣

“The more I cheerfully respond to difficult circumstances with faith in the Lord, the more I grow in my discipleship.” —Elder Isaac K. Morrison

I want to follow noble Stephen’s lead in taking whatever comes my way, joyfully sacrificing whatever needs to be sacrificed out of love for God, and freely forgiving those who force the sacrifice upon me.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

Share:

Facebook
Pinterest
Email
Print

4 Responses

  1. “His last words were: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”⁣ (Acts 7:60)”
    I’ve missed this every time I’ve heard about his martyrdom.

    “We are all sacrificing… But HOW are we sacrificing?⁣ Is it with resentment? It is longing for things we are missing? Is it self-pitying or self-righteous?⁣ Or do we GLADLY sacrifice? ⁣Out of love for the Lord and for those around us. Not holding resentment for anyone.”

    I stand accused!
    Too often, willing to give but pouting in my heart.
    Or giving service to family yet being self-pitying. Ouch.
    Serving, but with some lingering resentment
    (why do I have to cook again tonight?)
    instead of with the pure love of Christ.

    Great insight.
    Time for some repentance here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy

Keep Studying

Related Posts

More fully unspotted 

My first year teaching sixth grade, I felt like I was drowning. ⁣ I was working so hard to just do the bare minimum that

My origin story

About 6 ½ years ago, I was sitting on my couch on a Sunday morning, super excited about this brand new Come, Follow Me curriculum.⁣

Colesville saints 

The Colesville Saints. From Colesville, New York. ⁣ Made the journey to Ohio, leaving their homes and livelihoods after hearing the prophet’s call. ⁣ This

Plant yourself

Let me tell you about one of my daughter’s Primary teachers from a few years ago. She would drive by our home every week and