Reproach
Good Morning,
1 Peter 4:14 “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
Reproach is the term God chose for the way some people will treat us, but then the Lord offers the exhortation to not allow the reproach to bother us.
Yes, we are different. No, we will not fit in with this vile world. Yes, we will face pressure to give in and join the world and run to the same parties and excess of riot (1 Peter 4:3-4).
The danger for the child of God lies in our desire to be accepted and to fit in with the world. We want our children to dress like their friends, to listen to the same music, and to go to the same dances or social events. As a child of God, we are to be different, and we are to expect the reproach that comes with it. Many a parent who will bear the reproach does not wish their child to bear the same; so mom and dad will shift their style of living to attempt to take away the reproach from their children.
If we live as Christ desires us to life, we will not fit in, and that will bring a response from the world around us. As someone very tall or very short, or as one with a handicap, curious looks are the least to be expected, perhaps followed by comments or more.
Many a loving parent simply wants the child to be able to walk to school, play a game, spend time with family or friends, and be “normal.”
I remember when our oldest was about ten years old; we were visiting out of town relatives. A cousin asked what kind of music he liked to listen to, mentioning rap, rock, and a few other genres. The question was casual– not accusing; a question young people might ask to get to know them. I was close enough to hear the question and wondered what he might say. There was a tense moment, and he said, “Christian.” The cousin said, “Oh,” and they went on with other conversation. It was not good or bad, but obviously not ground they could connect on because neither knew enough about what they other liked to begin a conversation. The conversation changed to sports since they had more in common on that subject.
As we walk through life, close to the Lord with the Bible as our Guide, we will fit in with the world less and less, and with that comes the occasional “reproach.” We are following the One Who was crucified, mocked, and abused.
Matthew 27:39 “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads…”
Moses made his decision to follow God when he walked away from the palace of Egypt to walk with the Jews. He would face reproach but he would also gain rewards.
Hebrews 11:26 “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”
He did face reproach; but notice the end of the verse - he also gained reward. We are encouraged to go outside the camp, away from the normal path, to walk a different direction and to bear His reproach – with it comes the promise of future rewards.
Hebrews 13:13 “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.”
vs. 14 “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”
Do not fear about your children being misfits. In a world of anger, betrayal, unfaithfulness, and confusion, we do not want to fit in with the world, neither do we want our children to fit. In a world where adultery is common, drug and alcohol is used as the sedative for hurt in the soul, and lies are endless, why would we wish to fit with that? Trust the Lord, and He will make things right, as He did with David in the conflict with Nabal. David was treated shamefully, but Abagail interceded to stop David from killing all her household, and in a short time, God killed Nabal. God cared for the reproach David faced.
1 Samuel 25:39 “And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head.”
Yes, there is some “reproach” when we choose to submit our spirit and lifestyle to the Word of God, but we will find ourselves in good company. While we worry about “fitting in” or our children “fitting in,” remember that the end of the worldly lifestyle is broken and hurting more often than not. Our path has a happier end, both on earth and in eternity.
Pastor