AS A CHRISTIAN, BE NOT ASHAMED

1 Peter 4:14-16 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.

When one obeys God's invitation to accept His Son, Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, they are baptized into His body and become members of the church of Christ. In doing so, they put on the name of Christ, and become a Christian. By wearing His name, they demonstrate their loyalty to His cause, they believe His teachings, they faithfully follow His example, and they are obedient to His will. In the early days of the church, being called a Christian was a name of ridicule given in a derisive manner. Many wearing the name, Christian, suffered and were severely punished; some even lost their lives, simply because they were Christians. Although, in today's society, Christians are often spoken of in a derisive manner, but physical suffering is at a minimum, especially in countries supporting religious freedom.

Jesus told all those attending His "Sermon on the Mount", and tells each of us today, through the inspired gospel recorded by Matthew, Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake (Matt. 5:11). In other words, to suffer as a Christian is a blessing. We should be happy to be reproached for the name of Christ. It is an honor to be a follower of Christ and to wear the name Christian; it is a badge to be worn without shame; it is a title signifying a lifestyle that will bring praise and glory to God.

In the previous chapter, notice the teaching of Peter is similar to that of the lesson text. But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled (1 Peter 3:14). Following this, Peter says, For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing (1 Peter 3:17). As a Christian, you will suffer simply because you are obedient to the will of God, and wear the name of Christ. As a sinner, you will not only suffer punishment for crimes committed that disobey the civil laws of the land, you will suffer eternal punishment for committing any sin against the will of God that is not forgiven.

The suffering of a criminal and sinner, which are brought on by evil deeds, is just punishment, and usually brings about sorrow, sadness, and shame. However, suffering as a Christian is an injustice because no crime or sin has been committed by simply living a life of obedience to God. In our lesson text, Peter says of the Christian, regarding the suffering one must endure as a follower of Christ, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. Neither are Christians to be ashamed to believe, uphold, and teach the doctrine of Christ. No shame should be found in attending the church which Jesus established, or reading the bible which contains God's plan of salvation. Christians should never be ashamed of fellowship with other Christians, to visit, and minister to the needs of the poor, or widows and orphans.

A person should only be ashamed when they sin and do things that are wrong to others and in the sight of God. Even though persecution and reproach may be brought upon Christians by people of the world, they should never be ashamed of wearing the name of Christ, and do the will of God. Christians should take the same stand as did Paul, the apostle. Notice what he told fellow Christians in Rome: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16).

Finally, consider the words of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26). Salvation shall come to those that are not ashamed to take up the cross of Christ daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23). As a Christian, be not ashamed!