II Corinthians 11 includes a long list of Paul's suffering as a result of proclaiming the Gospel. He speaks of being beaten, of being in prison, of needed to flee for his his life. He is not trying to boast, he is however using all this as an example that his dedication to Christ supersedes that of any of his readers.
There comes a time, later in history, when martyrdom was the ultimate symbol of discipleship. I don't think that is where Paul is pointing, and I hope we never return to such a time. But we have moved so far away from the notion of suffering as a result of our faithfulness that it worries me.
In most instances, being a Christian (in Clemson, SC) makes you more acceptable - you fit in nicely. In most instances, Christian discipleship is seen as an encouragement to maintain the status quo. Should this be the case?
I have prepared the Wednesday News sheets. One of the concerns we are having are sufficient folks to help out with the once a month distribution of food to the homeless in Greenville. Isn't it clear, from scripture, how we are to regard the poor? But it makes us more acceptable (in our community) to spend our Friday nights at athletic events, or hanging out downtown, than to make sandwiches for a bunch of dirty folks.
Following Jesus puts us out of step with the world around us. Jesus calls us to a new life and to a new set of priorities. It is impossible for us to follow Jesus and not be pulled off the popular course of our peers. Maybe this won't result in beatings or imprisonment, but it will certainly result in odd looks, questionable comments, and the occasional jeer. If a few of these don't make their way into our day, perhaps we need to re-read II Corinthians 11 and ask ourselves whether Paul is full of himself or if he is telling us something about conforming the word of Christ to the world when what we ought to be doing is insisting that the world conform.
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