Men of God

Stephen in the 7th chapter of Acts stands before the Sanhedrin in response to some false accusation. But what we witness in the following verses is a composed and calm Steve making no attempt to defend himself, rather preaching the longest recorded sermon in the book of Acts. I like the way he started his sermon - "Brothers and Fathers". No unease here. No disturbed mind here. Stephen did not look threatened. Peter who drew the sword at Jesus' arrest at Gethsemane did not protest when they came for him in Acts 4:3. What a change from the Gethsemane scene a few weeks back. The impulsive Peter, who drew his sword and wounded a soldier weeks back, gives in meekly to the guards here. Paul was arrested many a time and all through he was more interested in preaching the Gospel than putting up a defense. The apostles seemed to show calm and composure under extreme pressure. Threats wouldn’t stop them from preaching. Feeling of injustice was the last thing on their mind when they were falsely accused.

God's men will not be put off by false accusation and bad report. Men of God will not try to defend themselves when accused. Their pulpits will not be a platform to defend or boast. They go about their jobs quietly knowing who is in control. They are not shaken when threatened. They will not be moved by petty things that move us (today’s so called Christians). They will not be moved by lack of funds. They will not be moved by false reports. They will not be fretting when the church ignores them. They are not swung by popular opinions. Their vision is eternity. Their mission is to please God.

The same Stephen at the end of his sermon fumes at his hearers in Acts 7:51. The same calm man is now stirred. The same Paul who was calm and composed before kings and rulers, tore his clothes and begged the crowd in Acts 14:14. What happened now? Where did their composure go? What happened to the peace they seemed to be exhibiting under pressure?

Their hearts beat to God's heart. What grieves the heart of God will grieve their hearts too. Just like Paul tore his clothes when he was worshipped as a God, the man of God will jump out of his pulpit and tear his clothes when people worship him (idol worship). Just like Stephen's convicting sermon made the crowd go mad, their sermons always leave their audience either convicted or outraged. Just like Peter pronounced the death sentence of his congregation members (Ananias & Sapphira) for hypocrisy, these men will not sit back and smile when there is sickness in the church. What affects God’s heart will affect the men of God.