Suffering for Being a Christian

Hi, here's a sharing by our brother, James Tan, which I promised to post onto the CG Blog:

1 Peter 4: 12-19:
12. Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
13. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
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.
15. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
16. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
17. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18. And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
19. So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

A lot of times , we as Christians will feel that the non-Christians are better than us in many ways . God clearly states in this passage for those who participates in the sufferings of Christ we may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

In Jesus Name Amen

James Tan