. . .to the degree. . .
RAY WALLACE

To the degree that I work, I get a paycheck. To the degree that I fill my gas tank, I can continue to drive my car. To the degree that I do certain things, I keep on rejoicing!

Consider I Peter 4:13, "...but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation." What a great concept God has revealed here - I get to control the road to my own joy!

Caveat: I must be willing to share in the sufferings of Christ if I am to develop the ability to rejoice in His name (in spite of suffering). In our spoiled culture of ease, we have seldom been called to suffer for His name. In the USA we have basked in the luxury of a government either supportive or at least tolerant (historically) of Christianity. We struggle to see life from the perspective of the apostles.

After being told to, stop speaking about Jesus, the apostles reply, "We must obey God rather than men." After a. narrow brush with death (v. 33), we see them flogged (v. 40).

Then an amazing thing happens. The apostles, still in the severe pain of flogging, "...went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name," (v. 41). Did you catch it? The rejoicing came after the faithfulness in suffering! "To the degree" was a genuine reality in their faith and in their persecution.

How is your joy? How is your rejoicing? To the degree you are faithful while suffering, you keep on rejoicing. Have some work to do? Me too. Let's work together, suffer together, and keep on rejoicing together.