Bible Verse of the Day Sunday September 17th, 2023

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

As followers and believers in Christ Jesus, we are saved eternally by God's amazing grace and faith that Jesus is the only way to eternal life. We are kept as safe as a baby in its mother's arms through the power of almighty God and assured of eternal security because of what Jesus did on the Cross of Calvary. Our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, is who we worship continually because he has redeemed us through His precious blood shed on the Cross to free us from Satan's and his evil followers' clutches. We love, adore, and worship him, and He has brought us into the Royal Family of God and keeps us near Himself for eternity.

The world hated Jesus when He was on the earth in human form, and that hatred continues without any cause or reason. That hatred has also filtered down to all who love and follow Jesus. When the world shows animosity towards us as Christians, it is because the world hated Jesus first. In the verse of today, the Apostle Peter tells us in no uncertain terms that there's no shame in being despised by others for our faith in God through the Lord Jesus. Peter tells us, in the verse of the day, there is no shame in placing our faith and trust in Jesus, the only begotten Son of God. There is no dishonor in being a Christian, even though we may be reviled and scorned by others for our faith, rejected by the world, abandoned by worldly-minded friends, forsaken by family, or ridiculed by co-workers.

When we conduct our lives in a godly manner, bear the rebuke and hostile behavior of worldly people, and endure suffering as Christian brothers and sisters, we should never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ Jesus. We should always stand ready to recognize that when the world harasses and torments God's people, we are honored to fellowship in Christ's suffering. We must never forget that He did so much for us and continues to keep us close to Himself as we glorify His holy name.

 

Jesus has paid the complete and everlasting price for the sins of all who accept Him as their Lord and Savior. The price Jesus paid upon the Cross of Calvary was a one-time payment for the world's evils. When the world persecutes us for our belief in Christ, we must never forget we belong to Him, and we consider it an honor to suffer as He did when the world crucified Him. The Apostle Paul learned this valuable lesson on the road outside Damasus when Jesus called Him to spread the gospel to all Jews and Gentiles alike. When we go through tribulations, we must always remember that we suffer for Christ's sake. Let us never feel ashamed of our hardship but rejoice that our suffering brings honor to His Name.