Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Face It
Today's Verse:
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. ~Acts 6:15
Stephen was one of the great Christians of the Bible. The Jewish leaders in the synagogue were unable to contend against his preaching of the truth of the gospel. In spite of much pressure, Stephen was amazingly unmoved by their scare and pressure tactics. When they looked on his face, their commentary about him was that his face appeared as it had been the face of an angel. Our face says a lot about our attitude, soul, and spirit. Our face tells people what is going on within us. This morning, we would do well to look at our faces. Would you consider with me four different kinds of faces?
There is the face of anxiety.
This is the look of worry, intense concern, nervousness, and unease. You know this face. There are furrows in the brow. There is fear and distraction in the eyes. It is a look that has “overwhelmed” written all over it. It is apprehension in the face of someone whose loved one is going through an extreme health trial. It is the look of death when your trial takes a turn for the worse. It is the look of perplexity when you are out of money and not sure how the bills will be paid and how the next meal will be on the table. The look of anxiety says that the most important concern is the thing that is worrying you to death.
There is the face of anger.
This is the look of disgust, distrust, and disdain. It is a look of hostility and even confrontation. It is a look that is accompanied with hard silence. It is a look that has bitterness and hatred written on it. The angry look might have a death stare attached to it. It can be contentious and fractious. It is the look that says, “Leave me alone or else.” It is the look of someone who has been offended or easily hurt, and it says, “You’ve hurt me, and it is best that you go away.” The face of anger is one that is rude, crude, and caustic.
There is the face of apathy.
This is the look where the message is, “Who cares?” It is a look that is unmoved by plight, purpose, or priority. There is a complete lack of concern in the face of apathy. The look of apathy suggests, “It is not my problem.” The look of apathy is indifferent to the needs of others, souls going to Hell, and the need for laborers not being met.
There is the face of an angel.
This is what the Jews saw in Stephen’s face. This is an interesting description since none of them had seen an angel before. Firstly, it is a heavenly face. It is a reflection of where your spiritual residency is. Does your face reflect that you are a citizen of Heaven or of earth? Secondly, it is a Holy Spirit face. Repeatedly, we are told that Stephen was filled with the Holy Ghost. You can only get the filling of the Spirit by spending quality, uninterrupted time with God. A Spirit-filled man is not easily angered, is not anxious about earthly affairs, and is not apathetic to the spiritual needs of men. Thirdly, it a holy face. He was pure in motive. He was separated from sin. He was moved with the purpose of getting men to the gospel. Fourthly, it was an honorable face. Hostility, hatred, criticism, cursing, and threats could not alter Stephen’s spirit.
What does your face say about your spirit? Look deeply into the mirror of God’s holy Word, and let it speak to you about what is going on in your soul life. Then, determine to let God mold you to having the face of an angel.
Have a pleasing God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Job 14-16
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