"To this hour we have gone both hungry and thirsty; we habitually wear but one undergarment [and shiver in the cold]; we are roughly knocked about and wander around homeless. And we still toil unto weariness [for our living], working hard with our own hands. When men revile us--that is, wound us with an accursed sting--we bless them. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently and endure it" (1 Corinthians 4: 11-12 AMP).
A most unpopular subject--we must suffer with Christ! Yet it is guaranteed that, if we will live for Christ in a corrupt society, we will share in His sufferings. A friend of mine once said, "being a Christian is like swimming upstream against the current of what is tolerated by today's modern societies." Jesus forewarned His disciples , yesterday and today, that we would suffer for His Name's sake. But, with that warning, He gave us promises for those who would endure and keep our faith in Him: that where He is we will be also (John 14:1-3); and, that there is a praise and glory and honor awaiting us "when Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is revealed" (1 Peter 1:7). Think about it.
