Wilson: if we loved God

Friday, December 26, 2014
    Feast of Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr
Meditation:
    But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
    At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
    While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
    —Acts 7:55-60 (NIV)
Quotation:
    The world would use us just as it did the martyrs, if we loved God as they did.
    ... Thomas Wilson (1663-1755), Maxims of Piety and of Christianity, London: Macmillan, 1898, p. 90 (see the book)
    See also Acts 7:55-60; Ps. 2:1-3; John 12:25; Rom. 8:36
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, may I rest in You alone. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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