1 Peter 4:14-16
“If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
1 Peter 4:14-16 NIV
Which of us sees insults as blessings or wounds as marks of beauty? Who would think the way up is down or losing one’s life is the only way to save it? To consider the reviling of others to be a blessing appears to be an oxymoron, but God’s economy is diametrically opposite from man’s logic, for the wisdom of man is foolishness to him. Jesus left a powerful example of being a blessing to others even when He was insulted and wrongly treated in His trials and crucifixion. The Lord also taught that if His adversaries abused Him, they would likely abuse us as His followers. We shouldn't be surprised when we are insulted or persecuted for wearing the name of Christian. One reality that makes Peter's words so powerful in our passage today is that he did what he commanded these early Christians and us who read his letter today to do while facing persecution. His letter, is full of practical teaching on living under the scrutiny of adversaries, the unfairness and abuse of those who are not believers while making sure that anything we suffer is unfair and unjust because we have lived exemplary lives. Peter never lets us forget that our goal, even under suffering, is to love our enemies as Jesus taught, and have lives that eventually lead even those who hold us as enemies to ask us about our hope. We have the privilege of being called by Jesus Name as His disciples. Let's praise God for that grace in both good times and hard times, never forgetting our Lord's last command before returning to the Father, making disciples of those we have the opportunity to influence. Like the teaching of the Cross the wisdom of God is foolishness to those that are perishing. But to those of us who have been saved through faith, walking in truth and love, and growing in grace through the process of sanctification, it is the power of God. How astonishing it is to realize that receiving reproach for Christ’s sake is of high worth in God’s heart. Yet too often, we are influenced by the world and can become tainted with a humanistic mindset. Secular things that are exalted by man are often despised by the Lord, yet elements that are abhorrent to men like suffering and persecution, are of the greatest value to our Father and bring to fruition abundant blessings and a joy beyond human comprehension. There is a vast difference, however, between the suffering that comes because one is a Christian and the suffering that comes through evildoing. The suffering we endure for Christ's sake today, has a purifying effect. It refines us and purifies us in our Christian walk as we are conformed into the likeness of Christ. What a joy to know that the suffering and insults we take on behalf of Christ are, in fact, a heavenly blessing given to us from above because the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon us. May we look to Jesus and away from the world, and may the Word of Christ dwell in us richly so that the ungodly mindset of the world will be diminished!!!
Father thank You for this day and that Christ identified with us so that we can be identified with Him. Lord open the floodgates of heaven and pour out Your abundant blessings over my friend and family today. Lord If by identifying with You and lifting Your name high we suffer, may we not be ashamed but count it as a sweet blessing. Lord we want to know You more, to know the power of Your Resurrection, and to participate in His sufferings so that we may become more like You in Your death. Lord use my friend to be the blessing someone needs today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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