What a demonstration of contrast between the way of the wicked flesh and the way of sovereign grace when God’s servant, Stephen was being stoned to death for the gospel’s sake. The enemies of the gospel were filled with rage; Stephen was filled with joy in the Lord (Acts 7: 56; Phil. 3:3). They were occupied with hatred; Stephen was bursting with the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). They were packed with fear; Stephen was occupied with faith (Heb. 12:2). They were chock-full of persecution; Stephen was jam-packed with prayer (Acts 7:60).
Oh, what a difference the sovereign grace of God makes in the believer (Rom. 9:15-16; 1 Cor. 4:7; 2 Tim. 1:9). Oh, how dreadfully wicked is the way of the sinful flesh (Rom. 3:9-18).