“They
Rejoiced To Suffer Shame For Jesus”
Acts
33) When they heard that, they were cut to the
heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34) Then stood there up one in the council, a
Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in
reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a
little space;
35) And said unto them, Ye
men of
36) For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number
of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many
as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37) After this man rose up Judas of
38) And now I say unto you, Refrain from these
men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will
come to nought:
39) But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it;
lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40) 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.
41) And they departed from the presence of the
council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42) And daily in the temple, and in every house,
they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
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of the great problems in the Church World, today, is that there is more concern
for the individual self than there is in promoting Jesus. In a world where men
will go to great lengths to avoid any type of suffering, more-and-more “saints”
are refusing to suffer anything for the glory of Jesus. This is despite the
fact that we are warned that we must prepare ourselves for suffering in light
of the stand that we have taken for God.
The
very word evokes strong opinions and emotions. This is largely because
“suffering” means “self-denial”—which takes discipline. Notice,
however, the attitude of those in our scripture today, who rejoiced that they
were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus.
It
would seem that we have a lot to learn in the Church. All sorts of attitudes
and opinions are filtering in. There is a prevailing sentiment that “I refuse
to allow anyone to ‘do’ anything to me under any circumstances.” How sad for a
saint with this mentality, for he has yet to learn that what is not necessary,
God does not allow to come.
The
rest of the world must be shown that problems come to us (saints) so that they
will see that if they are saved, they, too can have
masterly over their problems. This and only this, is what will give man hope.
After all, a situation becomes a problem only when a problem is a made out of
it.
Many
saints wonder how they are to know if they have “given something to the Lord.”
The fact is that if they continue to “react” to a situation in any way, chances
are it has not been given to the Lord to solve. One of the most popular catch
phrases is “I’m praying about it” which translates roughly to “I’m complaining
about it.”
Many
things for which we know the principles of God we are reluctant to support
because they cause us the wrong kind of “shame.” One of the touchier subjects
in this category is that of healing. We are instructed through scripture to
believe God for immediate healing. Nevertheless, if healing does not
immediately manifest itself, we must see it for what it is—simply a test
designed to gauge what we will do. No matter what presents itself, will we
believe Him or not.
It
is largely taken as a given that every rational being (saint and sinner alike)
consults doctors as a matter of coursed. Yet, like it or not, one is out of
one’s place putting the wisdom of man before God.
Too
often, we are negatively “shamed” by the world through intimidation. How so? In
that the world seeks to rid itself of everyone who stands up for Jesus, we
become subject to derision and negative views and opinions. This, alone, is
enough to silence many. In order for the people of God to lead the world to
Christ, however, we have to exhibit genuine joy in serving Him—no matter what?
Today,
as it no other time, we who would serve God must be determined that nothing
will steal our praise. Our determination to keep a “low profile will prevent us
from being a beacon for the rest of the world.”
Ever
wonder why there seems to be so many “ordinary” people in the Church? Because
the Lord wants people to see that He can save the worst of people and make them
great. And it is only God who can take a “nobody” and make something out of
him! When we accept that He is the only one who can transform, then He will be
the only one to receive our praise.
If
we are to rejoice in suffering shame for the Lord, we will have to collectively
accept that nothing is personally designed for, or directed, to us. For the
sake of our own sanity, we cannot afford to “see ourselves” in every situation.
After all, there is nothing we suffer that did not exist in the early Church.
Suffering
for Christ is considered a great honor, for this is one means by which we are
made akin to (part of) Him. You see, it is only what we were taught in the
world which confuses us in salvation. We were taught that suffering was to be
avoided at all costs, and to protect ourselves.
To
ever rejoice in suffering, the individual must learn to accept the truth—about
suffering and all else. Unfortunately, people are not concerned about what is
right, but rather, with what can be gotten away with.
Not
only does man not want to suffer for Christ. He also does not want to suffer
for his own wrong. Thought when the Lord accepts us, He accepts everything
we have, then self
must be given to Him. Only when we grant Him the source of our problems (ourselves)
will we gain the power to overcome the wrong and, thereby, be able to “suffer”
for Christ’s sake—and not our own.