Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.
Faith and identity bloom in the soil of suffering and hardship. It is not the soil that evokes gasps of wonder and appreciation, but the flowers that emerge from it.
I am still not quite sure what we, as followers of Jesus ought to call ourselves. I am not sure it matters. What he calls us matters. Also, what others call us matters to the extent that, intentionally or by accident, they stumble upon some truthful witness of who we are and who we represent.
Only three times does the New Testament use the word "Christian," not that we should never use it. Both times, it referred to other people calling the believers by that name - probably as an insult.
They embraced it .
We must find ways to embrace the insults. It is a form of mental and spiritual "judo."
The first time the name was used was at Antioch. The book of Acts records it. The diaspora followers of Jesus had become refugees there, scattered by persecution and violence in Jerusalem inflicted by warring political factions. They were called "little Christ people," and they accepted it.
Since "Christ" is a Greek translation for משיח or Moshiach, Messiah, or "Anointed One," it might be suggested that "Christian" be translated, "Messianic."
We are the people of the Anointed Messiah, the Christ, the Promised Savior-King.
Yet, if we follow the tracking, we still might find it was a term of derision.
The second time was when Peter twice refers to believers being persecuted under that same name, "Christian/Messianic" and advises the people to rejoice in it.
Isn't it strange that we would adopt that name in our cries for our rights and privileges as some sort of "majority" with a legitimate claim of protected status?
Do we think we are more persecuted in these days than other believers and non-believers in the world? Can middle class Christians stake a claim on suffering day in and day out for their faith?
In some places on earth, they do.
However, many people suffer out of conviction, because of their pigmentation, or because of their language, culture, or status.
Jesus called all such people, "the least of these, my brethren."
We need to find ways to stand with the most maligned, marginalized, persecuted, scattered, insulted, misunderstood, oppressed, and dehumanized people we can find because that is what Jesus did and continues to do --- and that is what Jesus did for us and that is from whence we came.
We should seldom speak of our rights and violations of our rights without two things being in place:
1. We have already spoken many times for the rights and against the suffering of others.
2. We have embraced the insults with joy knowing that we do so followers of Jesus, identifying with His suffering.
Then we can bloom and rejoice because we have been identified more closely with Jesus.
Then we can exude the fragrance of his grace in a world where those who receive and those who inflict suffering on others need to discover his love.
Then, we should continue to do good.
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1 Peter 4:7-19:
The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers.Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.
Be hospitable to one another without complaining.
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ.
To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.
If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.
For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
And "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?"
Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.
