Blessed are the Persecuted // Matthew 5:10

I hope you find our recent journey through Jesus’ Beatitudes helpful. They show us we tend to be driven by comfort, convenience, and consumerism. Discipleship can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, and costly. If you live in the way Jesus instructed, you will be seen as a threat to the world. Jesus said that the persecution from the world proves this is not where you belong. So, if you live with a godly worldview based on the other Beatitudes, you are inviting persecution, but it comes with a reward that is out of this world!

Jesus said as recorded in John 15:18-20, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also” (NIV).

It might not give us the warm fuzzies, but there are four ways persecution can help us by (1) forcing us to take our eyes off earthly rewards; (2) strip away superficial beliefs on the things we wish to be true; strengthen our faith in Jesus as the One who overcame and helps us overcome, too; and (4) builds our character so we can be God’s people everywhere and all the time. Remember to be cautious when it comes to compromise. Jesus taught that there will be times when you will be tempted to compromise but be careful. Know your values and stand up for them for Him. And always remember, if you are insulted, persecuted, lied about, etc., then you’re in the absolutely best company!