Suffering as a Christian

"Our designation of 'Christian' is of divine appointment, whether it comes from the versatile wit of Antioch or from the reverent respect of the Gentile; to live worthily of the name of Christian is to suffer persecution.  To suffer because of meekness is an exalting, refining and God-glorifying suffering.  And mark this and mark it well -- to 'suffer as a Christian' is a shameful thing in the eyes of the societies of this world."

"To 'suffer as a Christian' is to suffer because there is an essential difference between you and the world which rouses the contempt of the world, and the disgust and hatred of the spirit that is in the world."

--- Oswald Chambers, "Christian Disciplines" ---