December 30

Stephen: Qualities of a Godly Disciple

But Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. He looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God’s right side.

Acts 7:55 (NCV)


I love the example of Stephen. In fact, I want to be more like him. Consider some of Stephen’s traits and characteristics:

1) He had passion. There was never any doubt whom he loved or where his life was focused.

2) He had vision. Stephen clearly saw the past, present and future and had the foresight to give his life for the eternal.

3) He faced the tension of the crowd—and won. He did the right thing—even when it cost him everything.

4) He displayed compassion. Pure-hearted, his last words were words of incredible kindness, “Lord do not hold this sin against them.” Though he couldn’t control the mob's reaction, he did control his own response and in so doing, provided us with the ultimate example of thoughtfulness.

Stephen’s words, his life, and even his death show us the better way of following God: in truth, in whole-hearted love and in forgiveness.


Lord God, help me to be such a man as Stephen—one who will lose his life to find it. Amen.