58 They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he called out: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he died. (Acts 7:58-60 CSB)

As I read my devotional this morning about forgiveness and the stoning of Stephen, this scripture and a line from my devotion struck me. Both speak to the fact that even while being stoned Stephen called out for God’s forgiveness on those who would kill him.

Christ did the same, but with his death also atoned for that very sin.

Thus, how much more should we forgive those who seek to harm us? Yes, this is difficult. But how can we accept forgiveness and not also give it. We are called on in our life of faith to pray for those who would harm us as well as those we love.

In this way we work out our salvation by showing forgiveness to others. And by “work out” I do not mean to gain our salvation. No, that was done with Christ death. But to work out our salvation is to put it in action in our lives.