1 Peter 4:16-19
New International Version (NIV)
Suffering for Being a Christian
16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 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? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a]
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
This scripture was recommended to me to read today by Allison Stowell (http://steadfaststowell.blogspot.com) <--her AWESOME blog! Anyway, this just about jumped from the screen and slapped me in the face, and I love when that happens! Don't you?
If we suffer or take judgment because we are Christians, praise the Lord! That means we are distinguishing ourselves and being noticed as Christians. We should be concerned if we asked the Lord into our hearts and nothing else has changed. If no one notices a change in you after you have decided to live for the Lord you should probably do some re-evaluation of how you are living.
Those are definitely some words of encouragement perhaps if you are in transition to living for Christ or getting back on the right path towards righteousness and feel like no one else is with you, or everyone you use to know and associate with is heading down another road. The Lord sees the effort you are making and it is comforting to know people see there is something different about you! That difference is called Christ!
God knows the path of righteousness is a hard one. His grace and mercy would not be as special if it was a piece of cake. He designed it so we need to rely on Him and only Him to get through situations and problems that arise in life. To know I need the Lord and turn to Him when times get tough does not mean I am invincible to hurt, sorrow or pain. It does however ease all of that and help me place trust in the Lord to help me overcome any hardship. When I think of nonbelievers going through the same life struggles without our Heavenly Father for guidance and love my heart is saddened. It is easy to see without God how one problem can whirlwind into a place called rock bottom.
That is why I embrace my judgment as a Christian and thank the Lord for the opportunity that presents to possibly touch someone who doesn't know the Lord. Today I was reminded my responsibilities as a Christian and to be careful with how I handle situations because I am a representation of Christ when I do so, whether good or bad. If it is hard as a Christian to be saved and I am going around actin' a fool around non-Christians how is that helping them to come to know the Lord? Answer: it isn't. It will only encourage more foolishness and in the process I am hurting my own walk as well.
I do not think you can claim yourself to be a Christian while at the same time being ashamed to be called one. That is like saying you are a natural brunette when you really just have this tacky cheap brown wig over your true hair color. Everyone can see through it and you are uncomfortable trying to fit into a category in which you do not. Are you ashamed when you suffer as a Christian or do you praise God? Because without Him there would be constant and eternal suffering.
