A Christian~

If you have not noticed I am in love with the Word of God. It does have all the answers and it provides us all with tremendous hope. Over the years I have been critisized and rebuked for merely believing the Word and standing firm in what it says.
1 Peter 4 says some incredibly great things. I want to look at jus a small part of 1 Peter4 though.....Begiining at verse 12 Peter says "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the Name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of God rests on you. If you suffer it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However; if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that Name. For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and sinners? So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."  Now, Peter wrote and said some deep words here. As true Christians we will suffer 'if' we openly share the truth (Word of God) with others, and are not ashamed of it, but being bold in it. If we do not come out of the closet, so to speak, what will happen in the end?
When I surrendered my life ot Christ in 1992 I embarked in a life of suffering. I took the Word for what is says and I was immediatley  met with opposition. It ws pretty painful and the church I was attending tried to rid themselves of me because I thought we all were to live by the Word and rid ourselves of hypocrisy. Today, it has not changed. Ironically one would think that the 'Unbelievers' would be the strongest opposition to the true Word, but even today the greatest opposition and persecution comes from those who claim to be Christians.
Last week I wrote a blog challenging the readers to examine their actions and beliefs (Many say I was judging because they did not want to examine theirselves). Many considered it to be 'Political' but it was about God's Moral Standards. We can all probably admit that over the years the U.S. is becoming more immoral on a daily basis.Truth is always met with opposition. Even though many agreed they said it was how I worded it. The most confrontantional were people claiming to be Christians that were not even a friends of mine on Facebook.
Peter makes one thing clear here "It's not over until its over." Today the Word has been maligned and people no longer stand up for 'The Truth.' Peter is writing to 'Believers' who are drifting away from the truth (Did you ever stop and consider that 'If' the sinners prayer or a denomination could get you to heaven then none of the books in the New Testament would have to have been written?). Today when we proclaim truth people respond with "You're judging." Ironically the Word says what it says and it is not about the 'tone' in whichit was written, but the truth that was in it. If we believe that all of the writers of the New Testament knew Christ and had a true insight to the real truth, why would we omit any of what they are sharing with others, and ourselves? If they gave their lives and died for Christ what would be the different for us? Peter clearly states that we are to  commit ourselves to our Creator. If we live as Peter, Paul and the others then we would truly be 'Committed' to our Creator. That means that we could do no less than share the truth with others, and serve others. We could do no less than give our all as committed Believers to every Word that is in the scripture.
The blogs I share are not to be confrontational, but blogs that lead people to examine their faith. Paul shares "How would they know If they have not heard" (Paraphrased from Romans 10). If we who claim to know the truth and believe in it with all of our hearts, chousl be committed to share it in it 'Raw' and unadulterated state.
If we are true Christians we will suffer. If we are true Christians and share the true Word, we will suffer. For all that are truly committed to Christ, we will suffer. Are we in?