Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
To suffer as a Christian, because one bears the name of Christ, is no cause for shame but a call to glorify God in that very suffering. This suffering is not suffering as an evildoer, but suffering for Christ through reproach and false accusation, even when others handle the sufferer's name maliciously. It includes unjust imprisonment for the truth for Christ's sake.
Christian is a royal name belonging to those who join themselves to Christ. God gave that name to a people chosen from among the Gentiles. Bearing the name carries the responsibility to represent Christ in thought, word, and deed. Suffering reproach for that name is an honor, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon the sufferer.
It is a sharing in Christ's sufferings and a reason for joy, with exceeding joy to come when His glory is revealed. When Christians are reproached for the name of Christ, God is glorified in them. This suffering belongs with the coming judgment, which begins with God's household. Those who suffer according to God's will are to entrust their souls to the faithful Creator while doing good. The sufferer can entrust the cause to God, who knows the truth and will judge rightly, and look forward to being justified when Christ comes.
Suffering for Christ's sake is to be borne without complaining, in view of what has been done for us, with rejoicing and extolling the Son of God. That way of glorifying God brings heaven near, puts whole trust in God, and lessens trials in this life. In such suffering, including imprisonment, the sufferer is to trust Jesus, who will not leave or forsake them, and the faithful witness can proclaim that God lives and that salvation is available to sinners.
To suffer as a Christian, because one bears the name of Christ, is no cause for shame but a call to glorify God in that very suffering. This suffering is not suffering as an evildoer, but suffering for Christ through reproach and false accusation, even when others handle the sufferer's name maliciously. It includes unjust imprisonment for the truth for Christ's sake.
Christian is a royal name belonging to those who join themselves to Christ. God gave that name to a people chosen from among the Gentiles. Bearing the name carries the responsibility to represent Christ in thought, word, and deed. Suffering reproach for that name is an honor, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon the sufferer.
It is a sharing in Christ's sufferings and a reason for joy, with exceeding joy to come when His glory is revealed. When Christians are reproached for the name of Christ, God is glorified in them. This suffering belongs with the coming judgment, which begins with God's household. Those who suffer according to God's will are to entrust their souls to the faithful Creator while doing good. The sufferer can entrust the cause to God, who knows the truth and will judge rightly, and look forward to being justified when Christ comes.
Suffering for Christ's sake is to be borne without complaining, in view of what has been done for us, with rejoicing and extolling the Son of God. That way of glorifying God brings heaven near, puts whole trust in God, and lessens trials in this life. In such suffering, including imprisonment, the sufferer is to trust Jesus, who will not leave or forsake them, and the faithful witness can proclaim that God lives and that salvation is available to sinners.