Picture This:

I was reminded this morning about the first Christian Martyr, Stephen. the scriptures reference is Acts chapter 7. Stephen gives this HUGE speech and after the religious leaders heard it they were pissed! If you look towards the end of Stephen's speech (v 51), he is basically rebuking them and letting them know how "stiff-necked" they were and how they resisted the Holy Spirit. So they were pretty upset, upset enough to be grinding (gnashing) their teeth at him. But Stephen was so filled up with the Holy Spirit that he looked up and saw the glory of God and JESUS standing at the right hand of God. So he said out loud to these men, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." At this the religious dudes freaked out and starting yelling and charged him, took him out of the city and began stoning him. As they were killing Stephen by throwing freakin rocks at him, he cried out, "Lord receive my spirit." He fell to his knees, and this is what is so amazing. "And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.'" (v 60) The dude fell asleep after this....

Now you are probably curious why I think this is so interesting. Look at Romans 12:14. "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them." First of all, think about the grace God gave to him (Stephen). This guy saw the glory of God before he died. If we saw that, we could care less if people wanted to throw rocks at us...we see Jesus!! But then he asks God to FORGIVE these men stoning him...not to hold this sin against them. How awesome!

We should really live our lives out this way; blessing those who persecute us and loving them anyway!