Blessed Are The Persecuted

Meditation

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

(Matthew 5:10)

These days, it’s politically incorrect to persecute any group of people, except Christians. We have a bull's eye on our backs and it is open season. Christians all around the world are targets for persecution. When believers publicly display their faith in the cause of Christ they risk losing their livelihood, physical abuse, being thrown into prison, or even killed in some parts of the world. I have never experienced anything more serious than ridicule from unbelievers, so I don’t claim that I have been persecuted, or anything even close. However, the fact is, persecution of Christians is as bad as it’s ever been. In many parts of Asia and Africa, being a Christian can cost you your life. Especially in countries where Muslims and Christians live in the same area.

I know the temptation for me is not to want to put up with the abuse. I’ll either want to totally avoid the person or fight against the persecutor in an inappropriate way. Since I’m not a violent person, I do my fighting with words, not uplifting words either. Both avoiding or fighting with my adversary are wrong. Neither of those options accomplishes the righteous cause of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Both choices come from our own strength and not from Christ. It’s Jesus who gives us strength. If I resort to a shouting match, basically using the same tactics as my persecutor, they will feel justified because I’m not that different from them. If I sidestep the persecutor, they win by default and nothing changes.

Does this scripture mean I just have to stand there and take persecution? No, but when persecution comes, and it will come, I’m supposed to lean on Christ. Then, whatever comes from the persecution, he is my strength. Even if the persecution leads to my death, he is my strength. However, if I get angry and lose my temper, maybe even hurt or kill my persecutor, I may have a temporary victory, but it will be hollow, and I have falling into the hands of Satan. It’s important for me to stand up for what’s right, whenever I encounter injustice. but only when I do it for righteousness sake and not my own. For that, my inheritance will be great in the kingdom of heaven. It’s then I will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.”

Prayer Time

Heavenly Father those who dare to stand against you will pay a heavy price when they come into your presence. Thank you, Lord, for saving us from being your enemy at that day of judgment. However, for making that decision to follow Jesus, we know that we will be persecuted. The secular world hates us because we will not follow them in their wickedness. They call us haters because we warn them of the consequences of abortion, gay marriage, drug use, adultery, and sex outside of marriage. They call us science deniers because we believe the world was created by God in six literal days, just like the Bible says in Genesis. Believers who are university professors, policemen, firemen, even doctors and nurses have lost their jobs because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Teachers in our primary and secondary school systems are warned not to share their faith with students on penalty of dismissal. Thank you, Father, for the strength we receive from you to keep moving forward in the face of that persecution, until that day when we enter your Kingdom. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen!