Suffering for Christ

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
(1 Peter 4:16-17)
Meditation

I have not personally suffered physically for being a Christian. At least, not like what’s happened recently in the Middle East, in places like Syria and Iraq. There were hundreds, possibly thousands of people there who were being beheaded, burned alive, or crucified just for bearing the name of Christ. All they had to do to save their lives was to denounce the Son of God and praise Allah. Instead, knowing their eternal fate if they relented, they chose to remain faithful to Jesus, and died. If that kind of persecution comes to this country, I pray the Lord will strengthen my faith so I can stand the test. I fervently pray that when that day comes to this country, the Bride of Christ will already have been rescued.
The closest thing to persecution I’ve faced was to be made fun of for wearing a tee shirt that said, “Jesus – My final answer” on the front. I tried to smile it off, but everyone could tell I was embarrassed when I practically ran from the room. I wasn’t ashamed of God, but I was ashamed of myself. I failed that test. I shrank away from my chance to witness for Christ. I regret that every day because the person who made fun of me, passed away not long after without knowing Jesus. I know I’m forgiven for that failure, although I’m having a hard time forgiving myself. I have prayed for the Lord to give me another chance and to help me be ready to respond. I don’t know if he will give me the chance or not, but I’ve studied a lot since the last time.
The times we live in are becoming more and more challenging for believers. There is the possibility we could be arrested for boldly sharing our faith in public. We can easily be fired from our jobs if we try to tell a co-worker about Jesus. We are subject to persecution for our thoughts, expressed on social media. We are constantly trolled by non-believers, who report our posts as being hate speech, when nothing could be further from the truth. However, this is only the beginning. The scriptures tell us it’s going to get much worse. Believers in this country will face death for their faith. The challenge, for them, is going to be whether they shrink from their obligation to be Christ’s witness and to be bold for him.




Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, you are so powerful and good, and we are so weak and evil. Thank you for strengthening us and cleansing us of all impurities. You are willing to do that for us, not because we are worthy of your love and grace, but because you are so holy. You have told us, because the world hated you first, they will hate us also. Lord we don’t look forward to persecution, but when it comes, we pray that you will stand with us. Help us to withstand the lies and slander the unbelievers will throw at us. Give us courage to trust you when society turns even further away from us. Put the truth of the gospel on our lips and don’t let us fear sharing it, even to the point of death. Thank you for being willing to sacrifice so much, to pay such a price for our salvation. We cannot ask for a better shepherd than Christ Jesus. It’s in his name, we pray. Amen!

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