This morning while reading Acts 5 I was struck by verse 41. Beginning in verse 17 we read the story of the apostles being arrested because they are continuing to preach the gospel. Eventually they come before the counsel, are rebuked and beaten, and are released. Then in verse 41 Luke tells us, “Then they left the counsel, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name (ESV).”
The apostles rejoiced because they were dishonored for the name of Christ. As I read this verse I could not help but think about the state of the church in America. Do we count it worthy to be dishonored for the name of Christ? Are we even doing anything to be counted dishonored for the name of Christ? as I survey the landscape of American christianity I see a group of people easily disrespected, easily offended, and easily outraged by things that in the end really do not matter. We will fight to obtain the path of least resistance in culture and government,instead of fighting for the gospel. We run from governmental persicution, viewing it as a detriment to the advancement of the gospel. Where as, the early church embraced persecution, seeing themselves as suffering with Christ. As the American culture continues to move in a more post-christian direction, the contemporary church must once again embrace persecution. History shows, and more importantly the Bible shows, that in the midst of persecution the gospel advances. For this reason we must rejoice when we are counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ.