Only three times does the New Testament use the word "Christian," not that we should never use it. Both times, it referred to other people calling the believers by that name – probably as an insult.

They embraced it . We must find ways to embrace the insults.

1st time – At Antioch. The diaspora followers of Jesus had become refugees there, scattered by persecution and violence in Jerusalem inflicted by warring political factions. They were called "little Christ people," and they accepted it.

the 2nd time – Peter twice refers to believers being persecuted under that same name and advises the people to rejoice in it.

Isn't it strange that we would adopt that name in our cries for our rights and privileges as some sort of "majority" with a legitimate claim of protected status?

We need to find ways to stand with the most maligned, marginalized, persecuted, scattered, insulted, misunderstood, oppressed, and scattered people we can find because that is what Jesus did and continues to do — and that is what Jesus did for us and that is from whence we came.

And we should seldom speak of our rights and violation of our rights without two things being in place:

1. We have already spoken many times for the rights and against the suffering of others.

2. We have embraced the insults with joy knowing that we do so followers of Jesus, identifying with His suffering.

Then, we should continue to do good.

1 Peter 4:7-19:  The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?" Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.

FURTHERMORE

What we often call "suffering" and "persecution" is often just inconvenience or loss of privileged status.

There are people who are actually suffering persecution in the world for their Christian and other-than-Christian beliefs. We need to keep them in prayer and stand for and with them.