Persecuted for Righteousness

Matthew 5:11-12
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.

Application: 

In Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs,” isn’t about being persecuted because of wickedness. Instead, it’s about being mistreated because you display the kingdom characteristics described in Matthew 5:3–9, and some people won’t like you for doing so. Persecution may take a variety of forms and come from a variety of sources (family, an employer, the culture, the government). But when you receive it, you’ll be in the company of a class of people (see Heb 11) whom the world is not worthy of (Heb 11:38). If you’re willing to be rejected by men to be accepted by God, the kingdom of heaven is yours. *

It’s hard to believe persecution is a blessing, but Jesus wanted his disciples to know he was serious. Notice that the persecution that brings blessing is directly tied to Jesus. When they insult you and tell lies about you because of Jesus, you are blessed (5:11). Since essentially the same thing happened to the Old Testament prophets, you’re in good company. But how can you be glad and rejoice in the midst of the mess? Remember that your reward is great (5:12). God knows how to deliver. And as Paul told the Romans, “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:18). *

Persecution today may come when they revile us, try to cancel us, and harm our livelihoods for stating and standing by Bible truths, including these: that there are only two genders, male and female, as written in Genesis 5:2; that marriage is between a man and a woman only, as written in Genesis 2:24; that homosexuality is an abomination to God (Leviticus 20:13) and subject to God’s wrath today (Romans 1:18-32), and that those who practice and live in this sin will be condemned (1 Corinthians 6:9); and that abortion is murder and that God hates the hands that shed innocent blood, as written in Proverbs 6:17. Even those who support, encourage, finance, are just as guilty in God’s eyes (Romans 1:32).^

The world wants to create its own morality; however, righteousness is found only in the written Word of God and embodied in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-26). Receive Him today as Lord and Savior and align with His righteousness. ^


*Reference: Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 871–872.
^Ricardo Ramos

To God be the glory!

Our Lord Jesus Christ created everything! By Him, For Him!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

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Disclaimer

When God inspires me, I write or post articles that glorify God. I invite you to view this post as a Bible study. Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, I encourage you to search the Scriptures to determine whether what I have posted is true. Always consult your church ministers regarding biblical matters. I am not a professional writer, so there may be grammatical or spelling errors. I strive to write as clearly and efficiently as possible. My prayer is that this message will inspire you to seek the Lord with all your heart and bring glory to His Holy name. Your brother in Christ, Ricardo.

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