SATURDAY February 18, 2023
False Accusations
Then they [the Pharisees] secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.
Acts 6:11-12
The Pharisees were irate and influenced certain people to spread lies about Stephen. They accused him of preaching blasphemous words against the Law of Moses. Does this sound familiar? This is exactly what the Pharisees did when Jesus taught the people:
Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days’ ” (Matthew 26:59-61).
As a Christian, persecution is to be expected. When you are called by God to do His work, there will be men and women who are going to hate you. They may spread lies about you, and your family. They will fully oppose the work of God and what He is doing in your life. Jesus prepared His disciples for persecution. He taught them, saying:
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:18-20).
When you realize that being opposed, hated and persecuted is a normal part of what Christians will go through, then you will understand the cost and the call of a true follower of Christ.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds
of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,
for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted
the prophets who were before you.”
~Matthew 5:11-12~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
