How can we reflect God's glory like Stephen's "face of an angel"? Stephen’s Radiant Moment Acts 6:15 records, “All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” A courtroom packed with hostile leaders suddenly witnessed heaven’s glow on a man whose only defense was the gospel of Christ. Why His Face Shone • Full of the Spirit: Acts 6:5 describes Stephen as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” Heaven’s light always accompanies the Spirit’s fullness. • Saturated with Scripture: In Acts 7 Stephen retells Israel’s history from memory, proving he had internalized God’s Word. • Fixed on Christ: Even as the stones flew, he “gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). His eyes on Christ turned his countenance into a mirror of glory. • Walking in pure conscience: No hidden sin dulled the reflection (cf. Psalm 24:3-4). • Ready for costly obedience: He loved Christ more than life, and glory outshone fear. The Path to Reflecting Glory Today • Seek continual Spirit-filling – Yield every room of the heart to the Spirit’s control. – Pray, obey, repeat; the filling is both commanded and refreshed (Ephesians 5:18). • Abide in the Word – Daily reading, meditation, and memorization polish the mirror (Psalm 119:11). – The Word renews the mind and transforms the countenance (Romans 12:2). • Keep an unveiled gaze on Jesus – 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory.” – Worship, not worry, shapes the face. • Cultivate Christlike character – The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) is heavenly make-up: love softens the eyes, joy lifts the cheeks, peace relaxes the brow. • Embrace trials as opportunities to shine – Pressure revealed Stephen’s glow; the same principle holds today (Philippians 2:14-16). • Practice immediate obedience – Light increases in every step taken toward God’s will (Proverbs 4:18). Guarding the Reflector • Confess sin quickly; lingering guilt clouds radiance (1 John 1:9). • Watch words and attitudes; murmuring dims the light (Philippians 2:14). • Flee impurity; holiness and glory walk together (2 Timothy 2:21). Living Testimony under Pressure • When falsely accused, respond with grace and truth, not retaliation (1 Peter 2:23). • Boldly testify to Christ’s resurrection—Stephen’s key theme (Acts 7:56). • Remember Moses’ shining face after meeting God (Exodus 34:29-30); glory often follows the hard climb of obedience. Everyday Practices that Polish the Mirror – Begin each morning by looking to the Lord: “Those who look to Him are radiant with joy” (Psalm 34:5). – Fast from media that deadens the spirit; feast on hymns, sermons, and fellowship. – Serve sacrificially; humility lets glory leak through (John 13:14-15). – Keep short accounts with people; reconciliation restores shine (Matthew 5:24). Encouraging Promises to Hold • Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” • 1 Peter 2:9: “You are … to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Closing Thoughts Stephen’s radiant face was no mystical accident; it was the natural outflow of a life saturated with the Spirit, the Word, and unwavering devotion to Christ. Follow the same path, and your everyday countenance can quietly preach the glory of God. |
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