So they went out from the presence of the council (Sanhedrin), rejoicing that they were being counted worthy [dignified by the indignity] to suffer shame and be exposed to disgrace for [the sake of] His name. – Acts 5:41, AMP

I’ve got a good friend who is a state trooper. Not long ago he said something about his work that I’ve heard many times from people in first responder jobs like his and from people in military jobs, too. His remark went something like this:

The other troopers are like a family to me. We all feel that way. There is a comraderie and an understanding that comes from facing danger together that someone outside our line of work just can’t understand. We’ve got each others’ backs; we are a family.

For the longest time I have marvelled at Acts 5:41. “How could anyone rejoice,” I have wondered, “at suffering shame for anyone’s sake, even Christ’s?” I understand being willing to endure shame for Christ. But actually to rejoice in it? Really?

Then, not long ago, a missionary spoke at our church on this very passage. During his presentation he stated that the Apostles rejoiced at being persecuted because, by suffering the way Christ suffered, they could better bond with Him. Just like my friend and his fellow troopers understand and bond with one another by facing the same dangers, we can better understand and bond with our Lord by facing the same persecutions. When the World mocks us, rails on us, and attacks us for proclaiming God’s Word, we know something of what Christ endured, and that understanding strengthens our relationship with our Savior.

If you are suffering persecution from worldly people for acting in a heavenly fashion, count it as a compliment. It means you are doing something right in God’s eyes, and it’s making the ungodly feel uncomfortable. Keep shining your light of righteousness no matter how hard others try to snuff it out, and you may just find that your stance for God was the key to leading your persecutors to Christ.

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