Hello there,
don’t really understand your enthusiasm about persecution, its not funny or pleasant at all.
I was beaten twice because of my faith (back at school, as a child) it was hard, I even began to doubt, whether Jesus cares about me (he didn’t stop anything despite my prayers) And I was also teased. Again, nothing pleasant.
Nothing for you to eagerly looking forward.
I didn’t change me for better person or Christian.
And yes, I know that Paul was proud of those wounds for Jesus. Well, good for him… It is supposed to be grace, that we suffer (for Him, not for our stubbornness or stupidity or sin) (ph.1)
Hmm.. btw, I really hope, that you are not talking about stigma –ta thing here. Its misguided habbit. Nothing to do with persecution for Lord.
be blessed
This is what "T" is referring to...........
John 15:17) things I command you, that ye love one another.
18 .) If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 .) If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 .) Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 .) But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22 .) If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
23 .) He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
and this............
1st Peter 4:12) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 .) But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 .) If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15 .) But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16 .) Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 .) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
........and don't forget that when in prison, the Apostle Paul prayed, praised God, sang songs and rejoiced........
We are not instructed to hang down our heads and cry out "woe is me" when we are persecuted for our faith, rather we are to "rejoice." Not so easy to do I suppose, but it can and should be done. Now, we don't have to look forward to being persecuted, but we should not "lament" when we are.
(my thoughts)
