The Beatitudes of a Christ Follower: Persecuted

Blessed are the Persecuted:

This is the last beatitude that we will be covering as found in Matthew Chapter 5. Recall that the beatitudes are taught by Christ with such few words and they give a snap-shot of the True Citizen of Heaven. These beatitudes are very Christ-Centered, in that, they are a reflection of Christ Himself. As imitators of Christ we as Christians are to live them out as well. The last beatitudes are essentially one, and in them Christ offers Hope to those who will suffer persecution because of righteousness sake. Jesus says in John 15:20-21_KJV, “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. ²¹ But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” Christ does not hide the fine print when talking to those who want to be His disciples. He repeats over and over again that salvation is free, but discipleship is costly. Remember that Christ is the most loving, most compassionate, most thoughtful, most trustworthy, most giving, most selfless, most generous, most patient person that has ever walked the face of this earth, yet the world did not receive Him because of His righteousness. It made them feel uncomfortable by exposing their indwelling sin and need for salvation. This is Christ and this is who we as Christians follow, so don’t expect life to be easy.    

Scriptures:

Matthew 5:10-12_KJV
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.¹¹ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. ¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

James 5:10-11_NASB

¹⁰ As an example, brothers and sisters, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

1 Peter 4:12-14_NASB

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; ¹³ but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you.

Be Encouraged:

Brothers and Sisters in Christ please don’t get confused when you face various trials in this life. Sometimes they are to test you, sometimes they are to refine you, and sometimes they are to rebuke you and get you on the right path. The persecution that Christ speaks of in this beatitude is because of righteousness and that active following of Christ the way that He commanded us to follow. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Let us not be known as “Chameleon Christians”, which are those who adapt to their surroundings, to blend in to the principals and patterns of this world so that they can avoid confrontation or rejection or whatever persecution that they may face. Let us be known for true righteousness, the righteousness of Christ in us. Let us be those who walk so closely to Christ that the unbelieving world around us sees the character of Christ in all that we do and say. Christ’s promise to those who do this is that He will be with you in your persecution and tribulation. He has already walked before us and we must look to Him as our guide and comfort. We are pilgrims in this world. We are simply passing through. We won’t be here much longer. Let us be those who are daily about our Father’s business, evangelizing, serving, loving, giving, comforting, and suffering well for the sake of Christ and the eternal Hope that we have in front of us. Romans 8:35-39,  ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We were regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, continue to run your race and focus on a strong finish. It doesn’t matter how you started, but how you finish.

If you have any questions, comments, or need prayer, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are ready and willing to help you in any way that we can. Contact Us.