Bear the Name Christian
If you suffer as a Christian do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name (1 Peter 4:16).
Peter is offering hope and encouragement to suffering and persecuted Christians. Many of the early Christians were experiencing physical persecution as well as being socially ostracized. I am sure many of them wanted to give up but Peter encourages them to remain steadfast and loyal to Christ. He reminds them to praise God that they bear the name Christian.
Proverbs 22:1 tells us a good name is rather to be chosen that great riches. Names are very important to all of us and what greater name to be identified by than Christian. If you don’t think a name is important perhaps you have never had to name a child. When I was expecting my children, one of the hardest things to do in nine months was to agree on a name before the baby’s arrival. A name was decided two of the three times before birth but with one of our children the name was actually finalized after the birth. We have the tendency to associate a name with the actions or characteristics of an individual. We purposely would not choose a particular name because we equated that name with unbecoming behavior. We must ask ourselves what additional name identifies us.
As Christians, we live in anticipation of the day when God calls our name and we are identified as his. Until that day, we must remain loyal and steadfast in praising God that we bear his name.
Lily Barnes
Peter is offering hope and encouragement to suffering and persecuted Christians. Many of the early Christians were experiencing physical persecution as well as being socially ostracized. I am sure many of them wanted to give up but Peter encourages them to remain steadfast and loyal to Christ. He reminds them to praise God that they bear the name Christian.
Proverbs 22:1 tells us a good name is rather to be chosen that great riches. Names are very important to all of us and what greater name to be identified by than Christian. If you don’t think a name is important perhaps you have never had to name a child. When I was expecting my children, one of the hardest things to do in nine months was to agree on a name before the baby’s arrival. A name was decided two of the three times before birth but with one of our children the name was actually finalized after the birth. We have the tendency to associate a name with the actions or characteristics of an individual. We purposely would not choose a particular name because we equated that name with unbecoming behavior. We must ask ourselves what additional name identifies us.
As Christians, we live in anticipation of the day when God calls our name and we are identified as his. Until that day, we must remain loyal and steadfast in praising God that we bear his name.
Lily Barnes