WATCHWORD:
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 1 Peter 4:12-16
29 Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright.” 32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Genesis 25:29-33
Meditation:
No Matter the Cost?
Would you sell your good name for a bowl of chili? What if you were starving, then? What if the chili were known as the best in the whole world, then? How about if it’s the only way you can save your life, would you sell it then? Your good name for a bowl of chili? Really?
In the early years of Christianity, the followers of Jesus were called The Way. Gatherings of followers were springing up throughout the ancient world. In Antioch Syria, the church, a gathering of followers of The Way, was led by Barnabas and later assisted by Paul. It was a mixture of Greek, gentile and Jewish believers, and for a variety of reasons, mostly language, they began to refer to themselves as ‘Christians’, followers of Christ.
Because of the opposition to the teaching of Christ, the term ‘Christian’ devolved into a derogatory, in the minds of non-believers, and the source of persecution. In the massive Roman Colosseum, it was Christians versus lions, or Christians versus gladiators, popular sport and one way to deal with the upstart band of Jesus followers. There was risk in being known as a Christian and declaring yourself one would place you under the threat of death.
Is our spiritual birthright, ‘Child of God’, more precious than the name we were given at our birth by our parents? Is it? Peter was really dedicated to his Lord, and clearly, and often loudly stated that he would follow him to the death. But when the chips were down and the uncomfortable opportunity was there before him, Peter knuckled under, and denied his Christ three times. It was later when Jesus forgives him and from that point on, Peter boldly encouraged believers to not be ashamed of the gospel, to not be ashamed of their birthright, and to suffer the abuse we may encounter without compromise. We have a responsibility, since God provides all that we need, to live every day dedicated to bringing honor to the name of Christ.
Nevertheless, each one of us has a little bit of Peter within. When I have the opportunity to tell important people in my lives how much we love the Lord, we sometimes, in effect, deny him by softly side-stepping faith declarations, and sink to using words more “acceptable“ to these people.
There must be something to this, because this theme has appeared in previous Watchwords, and the subject keeps coming back, underscoring how much we embrace what one pastor has called “sloppy agape”, or superficial, sentimental, or passive expressions of love, or a lack of genuine commitment to the Lord. Seriously, what does it mean for you to be called a Christian?
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus we thank you that we belong to you. Help us to live with integrity and grace so that others may see that we are your followers. Strengthen us to bring honor to your name no matter the cost. Thank you, Lord. It’s in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
