Counted Worthy

“Did you see what happened in Libya?” The caretaker for our building is an Egyptian Coptic and often expresses fear for his family in Egypt. I nodded my head silently. “I didn’t sleep last night,” he added. I didn’t know what to say in that moment, so I simply responded, “Yes, it’s very sad.”

Sad. Tragic. Horrifying. Infuriating. Shocking. Those are the words popping up on my Facebook feed as friends share news articles and blog posts.

But as I looked at Scripture, I found a new set of words. Rejoicing. Blessed. Glory. Comfort.

I’m concerned by our response to current events. When I say “we” I mean “we” – I don’t mean “all of you living in America,” I mean me and you, the person who is reading this sentence. I think we need to put on a different lens for what just happened in Libya and what will continue to happen in the world.

A response of shock to this event is a clear sign of an area of thinking that is conformed to our cultural values – particularly the values of “safety” and “freedom of speech” – rather than to the Scriptural reality.

Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12

A response of sadness shows how far we are from the reality of the disciples, who “went out [after being flogged]… rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the Name” (Acts 5:41). It’s a far response from Paul’s request to the Philippians: to rejoice with him even if his life is poured out (Phil 2:17).

I think there’s room for grief. I’m sure that the death of Stephen, Christianity’s first martyr, was difficult for the early church to face. But what they didn’t know at the time is that Saul the Terrorist was witness to this martyrdom – and witness to the hope and the forgiveness that Stephen offered even in his last moments. And Stephen’s blood was not spilt in vain. Paul the Evangelist witnessed Hope.

Stephen could have protected himself. He could have been quiet about his faith. But Stephen couldn’t keep from proclaiming Truth. He recognized the glory of sharing in Jesus’ sufferings. We often miss opportunities to share in His sufferings because, unlike Stephen, we close our mouths. We don’t proclaim. Then we miss the doors of proclamation because we are afraid of suffering.

How can we adjust our response? Paul himself sent Timothy to comfort the Thessalonians in his time of suffering, “so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them” (1 Thes 3:3).

Perhaps we could start by asking the Holy Spirit to give us a Biblical perspective on what it means to suffer for the sake of His name. As a side note, I won’t go in depth regarding the nature of “suffering,” but Andrew Murray sums it up this way: “There are many Christians who… are content to consider the ordinary afflictions of life, which the children of the world often have as much as they, as their share of Christ’s cross.” I believe the perspective of the following Scriptures specifically addresses hardships faced as a consequence of proclaiming the Gospel, not general life difficulties.

I would encourage you to take some time to meditate on these Scriptures. Let it bring us to a place where we are determined to proclaim the Gospel no matter the circumstances. Let us bring us to intercession for our brothers and sisters around the world – not that persecution would stop, but that the result would be bolder proclamation.

Acts 5:41
Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the Name.

 1 Peter 4:14
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

 1 Peter 4:16
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

 Acts 14:22
strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God.”

 John 15:18
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

John 15:20
Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

 Acts 9:16
I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.

 Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

 1 Thessalonians 3:3
so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.

 2 Timothy 3:12
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

 1 Peter 2:21
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

 1 Peter 5:9
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of

 1 Peter 4:13
But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

 Romans 8:17
Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

 Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

 2 Corinthians 1:5
For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

 2 Corinthians 4:10
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

  Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ–yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.

These aren’t the only passages on this subject. The New Testament is laced with encouragement for those who are facing difficulty for the sake of Christ. If you know of others, will you post them in a comment below?