Verse of the day: Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
How many of us enjoy being rejected, or mocked, or being cussed at, and having all sorts of unkind things said to us? If you do, raise your hand. I imagine that if I could physically see all your hands, I would probably see very few, if any at all (including my own). If we are honest with ourselves, and God, we would have to admit that we do not enjoy experiencing persecution. However, Jesus tells us that happiness comes from being persecuted. Now listen carefully…He said happiness come from being persecuted for righteousness’ sake. To be persecuted here means to be tormented, oppressed, or even martyred for the sake of our faith and what we believe. Jesus says that when we experience any of these, we are blessed, or happy. How can this be? There are at least two reasons that we can see that this is true, from what Jesus said. The first is that when we are persecuted for the way we live, as we follow the Lord, it is evidence that we are truly living in accordance to His Word, and His ways. However, let me caution us not to think that being legalistic and bringing on persecution to ourselves because of “false religiosity” on our part is the same as being persecuted for doing the right thing simply because it is right to do, and because it is what God tells us to do, in accordance with His Word. Being persecuted for breaking civil laws, under the pretense of obeying God, and speaking in a manner, or having an attitude, which is offensive, is not the type of persecution that honors God. Being persecuted for hypocrisy is not God-honoring. 2 Timothy 3:12 tells us, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” The second reason we are blessed, or happy, is because every time we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake we gain reward in Heaven. Sadly, too many of us are shortsighted when it comes to our Christian life. We are so focused on the “here and now” that we lose sight of what is to come, and what we have to gain, if we rightly endure whatever God allows us to suffer for His sake, and the sake of representing Him here on earth. The bottom line is that we need to become Christians who are farsighted, and measure today’s suffering with tomorrow’s heavenly rewards. Please understand me. I am not saying that I cannot defend myself or my loved ones if someone decides to harm us just for the sake of causing harm. However, if the injury comes as a result of truly living for Jesus, then we have more to gain than lose if we patiently endure, refusing to revile, as Jesus endured and refused to revile, even when falsely accused and facing death (1 Pt 2:21-23). We must not let the possibility of persecution keep us from sharing the Gospel or shying away from doing what is right, even if we are mocked by the world, or those who claim to be fellow believers, but have compromised and befriended the world. Let us hold fast to what we believe, even when facing the possibility that those around us will reject us, and no longer keep company with us, regardless of who they are. Luke 6:22-23 reminds us that, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.”
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing their sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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