Basis!

Basis!

1 Peter 4:16 AMP

[16] but if anyone suffers [ill-treatment] as a Christian [because of his belief], he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God [because he is considered worthy to suffer] in this name.

As it has always been pointed out, it is the audience that defines the impact of the message. Peter presented himself as an apostle, a special messenger, and a chosen representative of Jesus Christ. His letter was to the elect—both Jewish and Gentile believers, who were living as exiles, scattered all through Asia at the time. Just in the event that you are not sure if your being elected in Christ Jesus means anything special, consider how Peter presented it in the letter he wrote: chosen, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, and by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood. It will take personal experience to fully understand what these mean, but let it be known that being called a child of God is no mean feat. It is a reflection of grace that gives special access to those who have personified and personalised it. 

Let it also be known that you cannot lay hold of it by influence, connections, networth, or any other earthly metrics by which the people of the world measure success. The reason why nothing of this world can help is because of the tough times in store for those who choose to follow Christ. That decision is not popular with the world and the devil that is in charge of its systems and structure. You are saying in effect that you are choosing a path that goes against everything the world represents. Do not be worried if the world and its commander then fights you. You are going up against a system that has been in place long before you were born, but there is One who has no beginning or ending, and is able to provide the help, support, guidance and resources required to overcome. What this means is trials and tough times are a part of this walk of faith, and I have to be prepared the right way for whatever may come my way. 

There may be times when one suffers the natural consequences of wrongdoing, but in this instance, the world can label and treat you like a criminal, because you go against everything that is accepted by it. The world wants to make the idea of human applause popular, and will try and shame you into thinking that standing alone is not healthy. It must be made clear that human applause without God's approval, is a waste of time. Do not pursue public acceptance at the expense of God's backing. Unless one is good at compromise, know that standing with God means standing against the world. Best be prepared for whatever the world will throw at you, but note that God backs you up. How does one rejoice in trouble, unless there is a backing that makes the pain worthwhile? It is faith in God that is the basis of hope. May nothing keep me away from total dependence on God. God's time of favour is here.