Lost Friendship - Found Truth

Setting the scene for today's devotion, verse 29 of John 8 is this: "And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him." Jesus's words always get my attention, and these words coming as Jesus is teaching about His being the Light of the World. I know that when then light came on for me, everything changed. Can you relate? Do you know what I am talking about?

I didn't even know I was in darkness, until the Light entered in. Many of us can tell about a time when everything was bleak, life was hard and some days we questioned, "Why am I hear? What is the point?"

John 8:31-32 (ESV)
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
I can't remember for certain the incident that started the process for me. I know it had something to do with losing a friendship over something silly, that started with a lie and grew. The lie was meant to save someone's feelings, and if truth be told I was probably trying to save myself some uncomfortable moments. But, isn't that how is goes?

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

The Truth became real to me in that season. Jesus began doing a new thing in my heart and my life. It took many years, but finally that friendship was healed. That is a story for another time, or blog post. The point is, Jesus is Grace and Truth and once we discover Him and become His disciples, nothing will ever be the same again, and that is a very good thing.

John 8:31-38

Secrets and Lies Kill

Acts 6:8 (NIV) Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.  Opposition arose... 

A good person does wonderful things for all the right reasons, but the evil in the world will do everything possible to discredit the upright. Too often wicked behavior appears to prevail.  These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. (Acts 6:9b-10)

Try as they might, evil men dared not challenge the words of Stephen with their own arguments. Truth cannot be tainted; it would take a evil to cast doubt or aspersions on Stephen's work. Imagine the extensive damage done with one little lie. Add to this a deceitful heart which is seeking to get its own way, and good people will suffer.  Lies have been known to topple thriving careers, destroy marriages and families and cripple finances.

Secrets are told in the shadows.  We cup our hand over our mouths and bend in to taunt into the waiting ear.  Even the word, whisper, sounds like a hiss, the sound Satan makes when he speaks. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God."  Acts 6:11 

Secrets can be dangerous weapons if whispered into an ear with the admonition to not tell anyone else. Satan smiles every time we enjoy the repeating of a story shared in this way. Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr was a victim of lies, and eventually lost his life because of them. They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. (Acts 6:13)  

Acts 6:15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 6:8-15