Many a preacher erroneously stands and proclaims that living a life as a Christian brings no suffering, reproach, or persecution. In fact, many preachers will argue that if you are suffering, are reproached, or are persecuted – it is because you lack faith and/or you have unconfessed sin. Few preachers today will proclaim that God’s Word states that happiness and joy are blessings that a Christian enjoys when they are “reproached for the name of Christ“. The reason that many preachers do not declare this “benefit” for the Christian’s life is that “to preach suffering and persecution for the name of Christ” does not fill the pews and the offering plate; in a society of people who desire to have their ears tickled, have an instant reward for service rendered, have an “always feel-good” attitude, and who never look at eternal rewards for being obedient children of God.
In 1 Peter 4:12-16 we read,
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”
The Apostle Peter had come to clearly understand the joy and happiness found in these words. For in the Book of Acts we find that Peter was one of the apostles who was beaten because he preached Jesus Christ crucified and risen – and that all who trust in Jesus Christ shall be saved. Notice the words from Acts 5:29-33,
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.”
And notice the words from Acts 5:40-42,
“And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”
We can conclude from these passages of Scripture that when a true follower of Christ is obedient unto the Lord in sharing the Gospel, there will be joy and happiness through suffering, reproach, and persecution for Christ’s name.
A word of caution needs to be offered here regarding when it is and when it is not an appropriate time to share the Gospel. Let me explain. I recently read an article concerning a woman who had been “written up several times” for sharing Christ with her co-workers while “on the clock”. Some would applaud this woman’s efforts and site it as an example being “reproached for the name of Christ”. However, I beg to differ. This woman was hired to perform her duties unto her employer for the pay she would receive. While “on the clock” she was to “serve the Lord” and “not bring a reproach upon the name of Christ”. If on the other hand she was written up for sharing Christ with her co-workers while either on her break or during her lunch period (meaning on her own time), this would have been likened to the efforts of Peter and the other apostles. We must now ask ourselves, “If there is no suffering, reproach, or persecution for Christ’s name sake in our lives, are we living as disobedient children of God?” May we seek the joy, happiness, and eternal rewards of living obedient lives unto Christ through sharing His Gospel message.
