Rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name

Jesus came to bring life in all it's fullness (John 10:10b), but the tendency to preach the gospel of a better life if you come to Christ, though true, is not the whole story.  The context of this morning's title verse (Acts 5:41), is of Peter and the other apostles preaching the gospel in Jerusalem, even after they had been told not to by the religious authorities (4:18). The Apostles had pulled no punches accusing the authorities of murder (verse 30). To say they were not pleased,  is an understatement, in fact they plotted to kill them (verse 33). However they were persuaded by Gamaliel, a teacher of the law to let them go saying  “if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God” (verses 38, 38).  They had them beaten first however (verse 40).  The title verse follows.

We read earlier in the chapter that none of the rest (unbelievers) dared join them, though the people esteemed them highly (verse 13).   Their fear,  no doubt,  stemmed from the incident with Ananias and Sapphira who were eliminated for lying to the Holy Spirit (vv, 1ff), but also from the fear of man.  Becoming a Christian in that environment was not something you did lightly.  Jesus speaks about us counting the cost, telling us  that we cannot be He disciple if we do not take up our cross and follow Him (Luke 14:27).  Taking up our cross is about dying to self, putting to death the deeds and the desires of the flesh,  and no longer living for ourselves, but for Him who died and rose again (Romans 8:13, Galatians 5:24; 2 Corinthians 5:15).

But rejoicing in the suffering, and counting it a privilege to do so  (Acts 5:4 again), seems to take this one step further.  There are two things here. Firstly if He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.  There is little true rejoicing in a half committed Christian. I mean you can't even enjoy your sin! The second thing, is that it is only on the other side of surrender,  that we have the joy,  peace and the promised fullness of life (John 10:10b). While we are still resisting, it all feels like a huge and enormous sacrifice, but when we have fully surrendered and are committed to surrendering everything that comes up we will be able like the heroes of the faith who joyfully accepted the plundering of their  goods, knowing that they  have a better and an enduring possession for  in heaven (Hebrews 10:34). I know times in my own life  when the Lord has put His finger on something and I have wrestled and wrestled with it before I let go.  But then afterwards  in the joy of entering deeper into  His presence,  I would I wonder what all the struggle was about,

Father, I am remembering again today that You told Abram that You are his exceedingly great reward (Genesis 15:1). Lord neither he nor we can know the reality of that,  until we come to the place of absolute surrender. And Lord when You ask us to let go, it is only because You want to give us something better, and many times that something better is Yourself.  Give us grace Lord to surrender daily,  and take up what ever cross You call us to bear. We will be the better for it, and You will receive the Glory in Jesus Name Amen