And daily in the temple, and in every house, they
did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing
that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. –
Acts 5.41-42
We live in a world of
whingers and complainers and criers and moaners. I know because I are one.
I don’t like it when things
don’t go my way. I don’t like it when people don’t like me. I don’t like it
when people don’t listen to me. I don’t like it when people mock my beliefs or
make fun of me because I am a Christian. I don’t like it when people call me
names.
But when I read about these
early apostles, and when I read about those persecuted through the years, and I
read about those suffering persecution today I am shamed at my selfishness.
These guys just didn't stop. They preached in the temple and
they preached in people's homes.
And while they were doing this, instead of complaint about
how bad they had it they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer
for Christ.
The church in the free and nonpersecuted west, including me, hates
the thought of suffering. I don't want to suffer. Sometimes we can hate the
idea of suffering so much that we can become focused on making sure that our liberties
and freedoms and rights are not attacked.
Suffering for Christ is not something to be dreaded. It is something to
be treasured. Are we worthy to suffer shame for His name? Are we so afraid of
suffering that we don't continue to 'teach and preach Christ?'
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