Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
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We were not made comfy with Christ in baptism. We were not assured a 401 (k) in baptism. We were not Affirmed in Our Okayness in baptism. We were crucified with Christ in our baptism. This suggests that life is not going to be a bed of roses for the disciple of Jesus. But we were not just crucified. We were also raised, with the promise that we would experience the resurrection of Christ in our bones and flesh. Sometimes we see a foreshadow of that in the martyrs as they tower over their persecutors. The spirit of glory and of God rests upon them. It rests upon us too "provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him" (Romans 8:17).
~~ Just a Word of Encouragement
from Mark Shea & Jeff Cavins
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