Stephen, the first Christian martyr, had gained great influence among the people (Acts 6:8ff). Fearing the loss of their own influence, the Jewish religious leaders seized this man and brought him before the council.
Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law.
In his defense, Stephen remained steadfast and committed to his convictions. In the face of authorities who had the power to execute him, he stood up and spoke what he believed to be true - about Christ, and about the hardened hearts of the religious leaders. This led to his stoning (Acts 7:58-60). His straightforward manner left the religious leaders with no argument; all they could do was throw stones. But even that could not shake him. As he died, he looked up to heaven and asked God to forgive his murderers.
Where did his commitment come from?
The sources of the strength of Stephen's commitment can be recognized from his life's path and his attitude:
- He had the presence of God in his life (Acts 6:8;15).
Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Acts 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
- He grounded his commitment on a biblical foundation (Acts 7:2-38).
- He recognized the error of past thinking (Acts 7:39-41).
Acts 7:39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,
40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
- He recognized the resistance of the religious leaders (Acts 7:51-53).
Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
- He fixed his gaze on Jesus, the truth (Acts 7:55).
Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.
- He kept his perspective (Acts 7:60).
Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Commitment goes beyond mind and feelings. It is directly tied to the will. The ancient Chinese said that a person's will is like a wagon pulled by two horses: the mind and the emotions. Both horses must be moved in the same direction to move the wagon. Commitment arises when the mind and the emotions move in one direction, whatever the cost.
How can commitment be developed?
Leaders cannot expect their people to make a higher commitment than they themselves are willing to make. To develop commitment, the following insights can help:
- Commitment begins in the heart. Commitment precedes performance. Look inward: what does your heart hold onto?
- Commitment is tested through action. The only real measure of commitment is deeds. Talk is silver, but action is gold.
- Commitment opens the door to completion. Once you commit yourself to a cause, all kinds of resources are made available to you to succeed.
- Commitment can be measured. Leaders can evaluate their calendars and their bank statements to measure their commitment.
- Commitment enables a leader to make decisions. Committed leaders have decided what is worth dying for. This is their basis for decisions.
- Commitment grows the more publicly a leader communicates it. Take your commitment public; then you have an incentive to stick to it.