Matthew 5:10-12
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
“persecuted for righteousness sake…” not persecuted for standing up for our rights under our constitution, not persecuted for holding on to our guns or demanding freedom or…fill in the blank.
No – Persecuted for righteousness sake, for God’s Kingdom, for my citizenship under the King of all creation, for the Gospel. These are the things that, when persecuted for them, will bring blessing.
“…on my account.” On Jesus’ account. Standing for the Truth. When we quote Jesus saying in John 14:6, “I am way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me…” the world will call us narrow minded or exclusive. That is being persecuted for righteousness sake. Jesus asks us to acknowledge him before men (Luke 12:8) which means presenting Him to a lost and dying world as the only hope for salvation.
Share the Good News of Jesus today!
Prayer: Father please bring those into my path today that need to hear the Good News. Let me be your messenger of hope. Help me to not fear what man can do to me or say about me. Instead draw me close and give me courage to proclaim You today. Amen