Recently in my sunday school class I was telling about the horrible feeling that comes over me as I drive to the Brenau campus and eventually have get out of my car. Many of the students there are determined to believe that I am a homo-phobe and bigot because I was firm with a so-called believer for living in homosexuality. Many are disgusted with me and I know it. I can see it in their faces when I'm around campus. I was being brutally honest and vulnerable in that admission.
The room sympathized with me and began asking questions... they clearly did NOT want me to feel badly or threatened in any way. After all, this is America! I understood that and it was sweet. But then I got all choked up with tears as I quietly, but firmly told them it was worth it. If I suffer for the Name IT IS WORTH IT! What an honor! Some people live their whole lives and never suffer for the cause of Christ and the scorn and ridicule that accompanies this faith. The perplexed, stunned looks I got were priceless. You would've thought I had 3 heads!
I am honored to be in the company of true believers who are willing to suffer for their faith. No, none of us are suffering to the point of shedding blood, but maybe we can work up to it, huh? I'm watching Missy and Angelo charge ahead for Christ in the midst of financial devastation. I'm watching Stacey do what she hates by staying home to take care of her home in obedience to God to respect her husband. I'm watching Linda stand firm in her commitment to marriage while her husband lives another life with another woman. I'm watching Jenn step up and offer alternative thinking to evolution to her students in biology class. And I'm getting a front row seat to watch God bless their obedience with lives being changed! They are making their bodies a living sacrifice... Praise God for faithful warriors!
Missy gave me a lead on this 39 year-old guy who was hung in 1945 at the hands of German soldiers at a concentration camp because of his faith. He wrote "The Cost of Discipleship" and you can find some excerpts of his writing here:
http://www.crossroad.to/Persecution/Bonhoffer.html#1
His name is Dietrich Bonhoffer. It's impossible to stay in a bad mood after reading some of his thoughts. I know this because I was in a bad mood but that changed immediately!
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Very similar to Betsy ten Boom's story (Corrie ten Boom's sister). She praised God for the fleas in their bunk in the concentration camp because it kept the guards out...which allowed them to have Bible study and share their faith! She died in the camp continuing to pray for the Germans who hated her! She demonstrated the true love of God....What a testimony! I'm sure she died never thinking that millions would hear her story and be blessed, as well as, encouraged in the faith!
Have been in 1 Peter, there is much great encouragement that speaks to this "cost".
1 Peter 4:12-16
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
This is the paradigm of God, the world cannot understand. Knowing the TRUTH makes such a difference!
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