Blog numero Deux- Worthy of the Gospel

Paul in 2 Thess 1: 11 prayed that the saints would be found worthy of the call placed in their lives. Paul mentions this a few time, perhaps the most popular being his charge to Phillipi. "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." ( Phil 1:27)

I have been praying for worthiness and in my mind, or in my understanding of worthiness, it is a great thing. To be found worthy, especially in they eyes of God, especially in the things of God.

I'm reading/studying Acts and this passage cuts to the quick

ACTS 5:40-42

"...and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ" (NASB)

I do want to be found worthy, what Christian wouldn't? but you see my prayers are centered around worthiness of His glory. Not worthy of suffering nor worthy of shame. To be truthful, I don't want to be worthy of that. The apostles were publicly flogged and yet they rejoice at being found worthy to suffer shame, the NIV renders it "Worthy of suffering disgrace"

How humble does one have to be to rejoice in being disgraced? If one is martyred, at least there is some heroic connotation or at least some dignified sense surrounding it. But to simply be flat out disgraced, put to shame, there is no heroism, no dignity, admiration, acclamation or whatever else. It almost seems like an oxymoron to be “worthy” of “shame” or “worthy” of “disgrace”

So while I’ll continue to pray to be found worthy of the call, worthy of the gospel I’ll be mindful to also pray for the desire to be found worthy of suffering shame or suffering disgrace for His name