“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60)

     The Sanhedrin were thoroughly angered when hearing the words of Stephen.  It angered them so much that they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.  Stephens’ words were quite similar to the words Jesus had to say when he was on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

     When people sin, especially when it is a sin of this nature, the fact is that they do not know what they are doing.  They don’t realize the hurt that comes about as a result of their actions, but there is an open door to forgiveness if one day, whoever we are and whatever we’ve done, we repent and give our lives to the Lord.  Just look at Saul, who was instrumental in carrying out this action against Stephen, “the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (Luke 7:58) “And Saul approved of their killing him.” (Acts 8:1) Saul was renamed Paul after his conversion to Christ, and Paul became one of the most prolific and inspiring writers of the New Testament.  God can change lives!

Prayer: Dear Lord, we have no doubt about your ability to forgive and to change lives.  Search the hearts of those who need you; we know that you want to bring them into your kingdom.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.