During my time at the University of Delaware, I was fortunate enough to meet several missionaries. Through campus groups like Campus Crusade, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Intervarsity, opportunities arose to interact with individuals from different countries, cultures and dynamic characters. In biblical terms, several of these people I met are worthy of suffering.
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name, Acts 5:41.
It’s interesting how people define success in various ways. The poor may say a good day is having enough money to feed the whole family. The middle class might suggest its making more than you spend. Meanwhile, the upper class base success on property, possessions and power. Yet, for first century Christians, enduring public persecution for their faith was like a badge of courage.
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name, 1 Peter 1:7.
Beyond any physical or verbal abuse martyrs experienced, a nugget of truth has been passed on from generation to generation. While you may suffer for your beliefs, trials serve as a vehicle for growth. Just as a furnace uses fire to remove imperfections from clay, persecution strengthens faith. Thus, while the world is dumbfounded by those willing to risk death, imprisonment or public beatings, devout Christians continue to embrace suffering for the sake of Christ.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 