In the last blog we focused on the reality that vessels of honor were converted from vessels of dishonor. Isn’t that how all of us started out? Each of us needed to be saved thus we were vessels of dishonor. Isn’t the ultimate calling of the Remnant to minister “conversion” to those vessels of dishonor to become vessels of honor? Or is it simply to get a glorified body and be exalted over everyone else and rule as one of the new “elite”? The purpose of walking around in a glorified body is to be a part of the global conversion of dishonor to honor in the broadest sense. It is to serve mankind, not to rule over them as a taskmaster or exalted king seeking his own.
We must embrace the Sufferings of Christ that we may bring forth conversion or transformation in those who Our Heavenly Father has placed in our path. It is not Our Heavenly Father’s will that any should perish, no matter what level of dishonor they are currently walking in. Saul (who is Paul) is an excellent example. Many have focused on his encounter with Jesus Christ as the critical point of his conversion. I would submit that Stephen’s sufferings for Christ was the seed planted that later resulted in his conversion. Let’s look at Stephen’s example of an overcomer:
Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
The first thing we must consider is that Stephen was walking out his calling, he was empowered. His fruit had been observed as we see earlier when the need arose for some men to oversee the needs of the people:
:3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
It is clear that Stephen understood the seven pillars of Wisdom found in Proverbs and was known for his observable good fruit. He was going to need that wisdom. Soon there were people who would dispute the message of the Gospel. They conspired to bring forth a false witness against him to shut him up. They saw that his message would cause them to lose control of their elite status among the people. When they brought him forth to the council, something happened:
:15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
Stephen’s face transformed to that of an angel? One must conclude that there was evidence of “glorification” on his face, similar to Moses. How else would they see a change and describe it in angelic terms? Stephen then provides them with a revelation of Scripture and tells them that “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands”. He then expresses words of judgment over them: “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears!” Clearly, they did not have Circumcised Hearts of Love. The culmination of his ministry had arrived:
Acts 7:54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
The ultimate suffering was at hand. Now enters Saul into the picture:
:58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Saul was to oversee the final suffering of Stephen for Christ. Little did he realize that Stephen was planting a righteous seed into Saul that would later turn his life upside down. Saul was zealous and focused in his job of persecuting Christians. However, the words of Stephen were planted into Saul’s heart and those righteous words of Love and forgiveness would ultimately bring forth good fruit:
:59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Stephen’s last words were instrumental in the conversion of Saul from a vessel of dishonor to a vessel of honor. He planted the seed in Saul’s life. He started the process that was irreversible. This set the stage for Saul to meet Jesus on the road to Damascus but while this seed was growing, Saul continued to persecute the Christians. One might think that Stephen’s suffering was to no avail but Our Heavenly Father does everything in HIS own timing. The fullness of Saul’s unrighteousness needed to fully mature.
Acts 9:
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him,“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Paul had his “Come to Jesus” meeting on the road to Damascus. Stephen set the stage for the conversion. He planted the seed that ultimately resulted in Paul’s face-to-face meeting with Jesus Christ. Jesus communicated that reality that Stephen was “one” with Jesus when He posed the question to Saul: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”. Saul responded to the Word of GOD and the Sufferings of Christ observed in Stephen. Paul was forgiven of much and much was required of him, he did mighty things for the Kingdom. He once was a vessel of dishonor but now he is a vessel of honor.
Stephen is a type and shadow of an overcomer. It wasn’t until he walked in the fullness of faith and power did he fulfill his calling. Shouldn’t this be the focus of the aspiring overcomer? Rather than focusing on the external, maybe we should be focusing on the internal. Could it be that until the Remnant is fully matured that the lawlessness will continue to prevail? In the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, the tares (those who practice lawlessness) were allowed to continue grow until the wheat had fully matured. Once the wheat was fully matured, “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!’”