If any man suffer as a christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. – I Pet. 4:16
"The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.'' Acts 11:26. It is a blessed name; we ought ever to glory in it, and never to be ashamed of it; but the bare name will no more avail us in life, death, and judgment, than to be called rich while we are in pinching want.
Christ signifies anointed: he was anointed to be our Saviour. Acts 10: 38. All who are saved by him and come to him are his anointed ones. So St. John speaks of all Christ's living members, "ye have an unction from the Holy One." 1 John 2:20. To anoint is to consecrate and set apart for holy and spiritual purposes. Christians are consecrated and set apart from the rest of the world, to be a people peculiarly devoted to the glory of Jesus; they are the jewels which compose his mediatorial crown. Are you thus highly honored by the Lord of life and glory? Is your soul anointed by the Spirit of Christ? Then verily the world will also anoint you with their spirit; the more the unction of the Holy One is manifest in your walk and conversation, so much the more will the wicked one and his children be inclined to reproach and defame you: thus you may suffer as a christian, at least in your good name.
But take heed that you suffer as a christian; that it be for confessing Christ and adorning his Gospel. As you love Christ; and have a tender concern for his glory, O let him not be wounded and his cause dishonored by any thing unholy, unjust, or immoral. Remember, the men of the world are vulture-eyed to your faults, glad to espy and eager to proclaim them with an air of triumph, "See, these are your christians." But if you really do suffer as a christian who have given up yourself to be a disciple of Christ, are following him in the regeneration, and therefore are opposed by the ungodly, be not ashamed; be not confounded; do not hang your head with fear, but look up to God with joy; glorify-him for thus honoring you; remember on whose behalf you suffer; put all your sufferings for Christ to his account: you have Christ's note of hand; he will surely pay it: but if you are ashamed, it is a sign you cannot credit him. What! is the credit of Jesus, the God of truth, bad in your eyes? Be ashamed for want of faith to trust him: meditate often on that day, when Christ shall come in the glory of his Father to confess them who now confess him. Luke 12:8.