
1 Peter 4:14
You can mark it down; you will experience reproach when you boldly, lovingly and humbly stand for the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as the early Christians who Peter wrote this letter to so many years ago was going through trials, persecutions and insults the modern day believer will also endure such reactions. It is not a matter of if, but when. I want you to be encouraged by our verses today. Take heart in such times, “For the spirit of glory and God resteth upon you.” What a wonderful truth! I pray that this truth will be cemented deep in the very soul of the youngest Christian, to the oldest, so that discouragement won’t side track you, but that determination will fuel you for your service for Him. I would much rather receive reproach for the name of Christ than to know it for living foolishly for and in the world. Verse fifteen of our scripture tells us such, “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.”
We have been called to be salt and light in a dark world (Matthew 5:13-14) and for us to do this we have to get out of the pews and in to the world. Listen folks, it easy to be a duck on a pond full of ducks but it is not so easy to be a duck on a pond full of geese. Don’t be surprised when you encounter such resistance and ridicule. If you are a Christian you are in the minority but you have a soul saving message that the majority needs to hear.