All in a Name

1 Peter 4:16 NIV

"However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name."

My last name can be traced back for many generations into England.  That is as far as I have gone to find out my ancestry.  There is a lot to a name.  Some people are proud of their origins.  Others try to hide their past and the name because being associated with that name was dangerous - i.e. Hitler's sister.

The Israelites were very fond of their ancestry.  Many could trace their lineage back to Adam.  Christians on the other hand try to trace their name back to Christ.  Some boldly bear the name Christian while a trend lately has been to shuck that name and hide.   They fear what others think of them instead of helping to restore their proper name. They want to disassociate themselves from the millions who gladly "bear that name" while facing immanent danger to their life and to their freedoms. Shameful.

Peter says we should praise God to bear that name.  In fact, he says we should not be ashamed if we suffer because of that name - a name that simply means Christ follower. 

I am thankful to be associated with the name Christian.  I will not be ashamed of this name regardless of those in my Christian family who have abused or mistreated the name.  God will judge them.  My job is to follow Christ.  My job is to pick up the cross (the symbol of suffering) and follow Jesus.  I cannot apologize for others. I can apologize for my own actions and control those actions through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Don't be ashamed.   Bear the name and praise God.  Be thankful you have that right to suffer in His name.  You are probably doing the right things if you are suffering.

1 Peter 4:18-19 NIV

"And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”  So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."