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Suffering

         So, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (II Timothy 1:8-10)

           Some folks want us to be ashamed of being Christian. They remind you of the failures of others who have claimed to be Christians. They remind you of how much you fail to live according to their standards of Christianity – standards which they don’t maintain themselves. Of course, they don’t have to. They’re not Christians. And our proper response should be to consider the validity of their criticism and make necessary changes – seeking forgiveness, turning away from that sin, learning our lessons.

          That’s not their goal for us. Their goal is to get us to walk away from Christianity and to bow to them as God. What they don’t understand is that we and our behavior is not the gospel. The gospel isn’t about us at all. Their complaints don’t prove the gospel false. They prove it necessary. They prove that we are all sinners in need of salvation. That’s not to say that we should parade our sins as trophies, but while we may be ashamed of ourselves, there is nothing in what they say that brings shame to the gospel.

          This the is the reason we should be willing to suffer as Christians because doing so shows the world that the gospel is needed. Our suffering for the gospel also shows that we are becoming like Christ. I’m not saying we should enjoy the suffering, or pretend to enjoy the suffering, but if your suffering because someone hates Christ, you’ve won.

 

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