I Peter 4:12-19. Have you ever thought of what it means to bear the name of Christ? If you call yourself a Christian; then, in a sense, you bear the name of Christ. If by faith you have believed Christ for your salvation and asked Him into your life, then you have the privilege and right to bear the Name. In Acts 11.26 it says that it was in the church in Antioch that they were first called Christians. It wasn't necessarily complementary, it was more observation. These people were like little "christs" walking around. When Peter and John were arrested for preaching, it says that they took note that they had been with Jesus. You see, to really bear the Name of Christ is to have your faith put to the test and still have His character shine through. In that day and in parts of our world today people suffer physical pain and ostracism for wearing the Name. Peter is saying that we are blessed and should rejoice when this is true of us. He also issues a warning; if you are suffering as a result of being a meddler, a cheat, a thief or for that matter anything contrary to the character of Christ, don't call it suffering for being a Christian. When you do wrong, you ought to be suffering for your bad choices, but there is certainly no glory to be found there. Peter says that it is time for self-examination. That doesn't mean look at someone else, or use the standards that you always used before, but what does God's Word say about it? Take a fresh look. For the areas that pass the test, praise God. For those that don't, it is time to seek His help to make the appropriate changes. If persecution persists, "Commit yourself to your faithful creator and continue to do good:" (Verse 1 4b) if you suffer for being a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that Name." (V10)

Bear the Name