Craig Clouston

Precious Insults

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you … because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.
Matthew 5:11–12

The prisoner lay in a huddled ball in the corner of the damp, dark cell. It smelled of urine and vomit from not being cleaned in weeks, if not months. They had just thrown him head first into the cell. Unable to brace himself because of the beating he’d just received, he landed on his face, reinjuring the broken nose he’d suffered two weeks ago in another similar beating.
Le Chen whispered, “Yesu, you are stronger than Mogui1 and all who torment Le Chen. I thank you that you think Le Chen is worthy of suffering for Your name.” Chen had been a prisoner for three months now. He’d been charged with subverting Chinese law by worshiping in his home and possessing part of Shengjing2. It was unlawful to worship outside the Chinese government’s ‘Three-Self Church’ in Honshu Province, or anywhere in China, for that matter, or to possess a Bible in part or whole.
Being tormented for their faith was nothing new to Chen or his family. The Le family counted it a blessing to suffer for the cause of Christ.

†

Many Christians will never suffer the pain and persecution portrayed in today’s scenario. Many, however, do or will.
If given the circumstances of Chen, how would we fair? Would we count it a blessing to suffer for the cause of Christ, or would we complain about the conditions?
The secret is in how we relate our lives to the suffering of Christ. Have we died unto ourselves in Christ? Or is that just a fashionable statement?
Jesus wants us to relate to him in such a way that our desire is to look just like him in every way.
Eternal perspective is about bringing the kingdom of Christ to the here and now so it can be seen by those in need. It’s about understanding that our suffering is not to be considered a high cost in light of eternity.

Prayer

“Yesu, I ask for strength and courage to stand up in your name. Tell me when and where to speak, for I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s in Your Name I pray, amen.”

1 Chinese for Satan
2 Chinese for Bible