LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”    Jesus

 

Before this Beatitude is examined, I want you to see that the first Beatitude began with the kingdom of heaven.  Notice what this last one ends with – the kingdom of heaven.  The Lord Jesus desires His disciples to understand the most important aspect of this life is membership in the kingdom of heaven.  As Christians, you and I belong to a spiritual realm, the kingdom of heaven. 

 

Persecution is not a subject that most people want to hear about.  If the congregation knew the subject of persecution was the topic for the sermon, I wonder how many would show up to hear about it.  When was the last time you heard any preacher talk about it?  The Lord Jesus is saying that His followers act in a certain way and because of it they are going to be persecuted; it comes as a result of be righteous. 

 

Lloyd-Jones cautions us to understand this Beatitude does not say those who are having a difficult time in their Christian life will be blessed.  It does not say Christians will be persecuted because they lack wisdom or are foolish in what they have done.  It does not say you are blessed because you suffer for some good cause.  It does not say you are blessed because you have created difficulties for yourself that was not necessary.  It does not mean you are being persecuted for being good, or noble, or self-sacrificing.  Be careful that you do not develop a martyr type spirit.  Practicing righteousness means being like Christ and those who do will be persecuted for being like Him!

 

The Pharisees persecuted Jesus because He was different!  Think back to what He said to them.  The way they lived their life projected their righteousness; Jesus told them their outward appearance was not good enough because they did not clean up their heart.  They did not like that.  They hated Jesus for that and devised plans to kill Him.  People do not always feel comfortable around those who are truly righteous.  The result is the condemnation of the righteous because of how they live their life.

 

Persecution will occur to those who seek to live in agreement with the Word of God, to be righteous.  Those who uphold God’s standard of truth, justice and purity while at the same time refuse to compromise with the evil present in our nation, with the lukewarm believers will face disapproval, rejection, and criticism.  This persecution and opposition will come from those with an ungodly view of what life should be like.  This view is not unlike what we see in our nation today.  I fear, as I view voting patterns, that more people are rejecting a godly and righteous way of life for this nation. 

 

Jesus said that persecution would follow those follow Him.  Those who suffer for Him in this life will be glorified with Him in His kingdom.  Jesus suffered when He walked on earth; the world He lived in sent Him to the cross.  If we are persecuted because we act like Jesus, that seems to be pretty good company to be walking with!

 

 

If you receive this blog through email, you can go to the regular blog page by moving your cursor to the top of the page and click on LEARNING DAILY header.  Then you can see the archived articles and comment section. You can also leave a comment by clicking on the date in the Comment Section.