If you’re abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It’s the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they’re on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that’s a different matter. But if it’s because you’re a Christian, don’t give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!”
This is an exhortation that truly defies natural understanding. It’s bad enough to be persecuted for any reason, but to be told to take pride in it defies all reasoning. But that is an essential part of being Christ-like. It hearkens to Jesus’ command to love your enemies. Who does that, you say?! Well, a Christian ought to do that. Graham Staines and his family, a missionary to the state of Orissa in India is an example of this. Staines was tortured and burnt alive along with his two young sons in the year 1999. He is survived by his wife who not only forgave the perpetrators, but asked that their death penalties be commuted to life sentences, and continues to serve in the poor in the same community to this day.
