What would you be willing to give for your faith in Jesus? For Pa-yang, a young mother in Laos, that question became heartbreakingly real. After converting to Christianity, her family faced intense persecution. Her oldest son was poisoned—killed by relatives who wanted to punish them for following Jesus.
In the face of unimaginable loss, Pa-yang said, “I am sad to lose my son, but I believe—and I know—that my son is sitting with Jesus in heaven… Even if there is more persecution, we will continue believing in Jesus.”
This is what it means to stand till the end.
In Acts 6–7, we meet Stephen—a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit—who becomes the first recorded martyr of the Christian church. As God pushed the early church into new territory, the enemy responded with fierce opposition. But Stephen didn’t back down. He boldly proclaims the truth to those who sought to silence him, even in the face of certain death.
When Stephen was dragged before the Sanhedrin, the supreme court of his day, on trumped-up charges, he didn’t panic. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity to bear witness. He didn’t prepare a speech, do a Google search, or run it through his favorite AI; he let the Holy Spirit speak through him.
It was such a God-moment that Stephen’s face shone like an angel’s. The presence of God was literally radiating from him because he was standing for Jesus.
How do we stand to the end like Stephen?
- Ask God for His wisdom.
James 1:5 tells us that “anyone who lacks wisdom should ask God—who gives generously.” In a world full of opinions, feelings, half-truths, and social media, we desperately need God’s wisdom to rule our lives. - Let your light shine.
Matthew 5:14–16 reminds us that we “are the light of the world.” We need light because there is darkness. And just as you put your light in a place for everyone to see, the light of Jesus should be visible to everyone. - Know where you’re headed.
The destination matters. Stephen saw heaven open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. That’s why he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” right before he died. He knew he was heading to Jesus. Are you? - Take no grudges to the grave.
As Stephen was being stoned, he cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Like Jesus on the cross, he extended forgiveness to his persecutors. He cared more about their eternity than his grudge. It’s time to give your grudge to God.
So… what do you stand for?
Stand for Jesus—and He will stand for you.
Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)
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