COMPLETE FAITH: ARE YOU WORTHY OF SUFFERING DISGRACE

Acts 5:40-42

His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Previously, the Sanhedrin wanted to put the apostles to death for speaking the words of Jesus and preaching the good news of the resurrection. However, Gamaliel a well respected Pharisee and teacher of the law, had spoken persuasively -- recommending a cautious wait and see approach (see Acts 5:35-39). The apostles were then flogged and set free. Encouraged by this event the apostles continued to teach and proclaim the good news.

The apostles had been jailed, threatened with death, set free by an angel, then re-arrested, flogged and warned again. Yet despite the hardship and pain -- they were rejoicing, proud of being "counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name". Instead of the shame and humiliation that usually comes from incarceration and flogging -- they were encouraged by these events.

This is remarkable to me as it isn't a "normal" human reaction to punishment. I like their perspective -- they counted themselves worthy of suffering disgrace. They didn't focus on the indignity or unfairness of the punishment. Instead they focused on the honor of sharing it with and for Jesus. But there is one more key to their "rejoicing" -- "they never stopped teaching and proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ." In other words, their focus was on the cross not on their hardship, and they never stopped. All too often when we are confronted with punishment or hardship, we stop doing the Lord's will. Not so in the apostles example.

Things don't always go as we would like when we're in service to the Lord. Many times we have to adapt our plan as the Lord makes His will and intention known to us. Other times we have to be patient and wait on the Lord's timing. But there are also times when we, as in the apostles' example -- will suffer a disgrace for the Name -- and we just have to endure. However, if you have the apostles perspective you will be "rejoicing" that you have been counted worthy and you will continue on -- as the apostles did -- day after day never stopping!

What is your perspective when a hardship comes along? Do you rejoice and count yourself worthy of suffering? How do you handle hardship? Do you stop when the going gets tough? Do you need to change your perspective?

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