1 Peter 4:16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

I preached on verses 10-11 just this past Sunday, and the temptation is there to do it again! However, this verse is sadly relevant to too many people today, even in the US. Laws are changing, but there are still many on the books that we cannot follow, on the basis of our Biblical faith. Just this past week the Supreme Court declined to hear a case brought by a county registrar who had actually been found guilty for refusing to put her name on a same-sex marriage license. And of course, photographers and cake-makers have famously been prosecuted for refusing to celebrate such perversion of God’s clear plan. The world system does not like Christians! And in places like Nigeria and India and many other countries, proclaiming that Jesus is the only Savior and Lord can get you physically assaulted and even killed. Suffering for being a Christian is no joke. We tend to think of persecution as something in the past, but it is all too much present reality. Peter’s words here, therefore, are very pertinent. We are most likely to encounter social pressure, to be politically correct with pronouns and the like, and people will try to shame us for standing firm. That’s nothing to be ashamed of! Rather, we are to rejoice that our commitment is being tested, because no one will be attracted to a faith that means little to the person claiming it. Faith will always be “counter-cultural” to the world’s system, but that’s never a reason to abandon it.

I feel that I have encountered very little pressure against my faith, and I’m grateful, but at times I wonder if I’m being bold enough in expressing it. I’m not to offend needlessly, but I’m never to let fear of a person’s reaction keep me from speaking God’s truth to them. After all, if they don’t know God’s truth, how can they be set free? (John 8:32) I am to be a demonstration of what it means to live as a believer, a child and servant of God, whatever the consequences. I am to rejoice that I don’t belong to this world’s systems, whatever they do to try to pressure me to join them. Sometimes that’s a frontal assault, but more often it’s subtle, and I need to be on my guard. I will never be perfect in this life, but by the grace and strength of God I can keep growing to demonstrate Christ more and more accurately and fully, and that should be my goal. Considering all that God has done for me, it’s the least I can do!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for never giving up on me, but always continuing to prod and encourage me to keep growing. May I fulfill each of the tasks You set for me, even as I rest, relax, and rejoice in You, just as You told me to do, for Your glory Thank You. Praise God!