May · Day 28
Suffering in the name of Christ
Reading
Practical meditation
Not every suffering is for Christ. Peter is honest: we should not suffer as evildoers. But when shame comes because we belong to Christ, it changes nature.
We need to discern without self-deception. Sometimes we call persecution what is only the consequence of the ego. Suffering in the name of Christ requires a clean conscience. It is not placing a halo on damage we produced ourselves.
But when faithfulness costs, we do not need to be ashamed. The Spirit of glory rests upon those who belong to Christ. Remaining faithful, without aggression and without hiding, is allowing Christ to be honored in us.
Examine
Am I suffering for faithfulness to Christ or for the consequences of my own ego?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, give me a clean conscience and humble courage. Deliver me from confusing wounded ego with faithfulness, but strengthen me when faithfulness to your name costs. May the Spirit of glory rest upon me. Amen.
Practice
Let us take up one small visible faithfulness to Christ today, without aggression and without hiding.