LEARNING DAILY

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

Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Jesus Christ

As Believers in the One True God and as we walk with Jesus Christ on His narrow way into His kingdom and as we are led by the Holy Spirit, we are going to have to stand for His truth. Failing to do so allows darkness to grow and that which is false to grow in our land. Deception is widespread, undermining Christian teaching and its way of life. As Believers, we have become too complacent to the false teachers that have risen up to teach their destructive teaching; it is all around us. Christian based instruction used to be taught in the public school – I know that has been a long time ago. Now that public school education teaches a godless curriculum that a child can determine if they are male, female, a dog or a cat, or whatever the current thought of the day is. As a Believer we must be diligent and fully engaged regarding these false teachers and their wrong teaching and practices. A careful study of God’s judgment on the people of ancient Israel reminds us that sin does not go unpunished! God brought judgment upon His people and He will certainly do it again.

Today, God’s people must stand on His Word; it is being distorted, misrepresented, and slandered.  We must be able to defend God’s Word, doing so to the best of our knowledge. To do that we must be reading/studying/meditating on it in order to be confident in what it says. To do so is going to bring ridicule, condemnation and even persecution for those who do. Luke records Jesus saying, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.”  Calling ourselves a Christian means we are a disciple of Christ. We are not greater than Him; we need to be like Him. Jesus stood for what was right in His Father’s eyes. He came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it (Matthew 5:17). He did not come in the flesh to seek and gain the approval of men. He came to show the Father to those on earth. Is that not the purpose and the responsibility we have as His followers?

But this comes with a warning. Jesus was persecuted and hung on a cross because the religious leaders were more concerned with their position and power than promoting the coming of the kingdom of God. There will be a cost for being a true disciple and follower of God. The prophets and the apostles had to face the majority just like Believers today will most certainly have to face the majority who have shown their support of abortion, the ungodly belief that God did not create male and female, and all the evil teaching that goes with this evil.

Take courage and know that when this majority comes against those who stand on the righteousness of God are blessed for their stand and their reward is in heaven. Those who stand in His righteousness stand in His acceptance, His approval, and in His love! Standing with God removes all anxiety and fear of persecution and what others in the majority say because the power of God is greater than anything that can be said or done against us. Those who oppose biblical teaching have joined with evil to oppose good; they cannot stand against the power of God. Be bold in opposing that which is evil. Our eternity is in heaven and because of that the blessings of God are upon us.

One additional comment on Tuesday’s elections. The way people voted appears to be on their perspective toward abortion. Elections were won by those favoring abortion. It shows that laws do not change attitudes. One’s attitude is changed when their heart is changed. I do not have to wonder what God thinks about this issue. His response has been seen when judgment came on Israel for what they did with babies. I only wonder when judgment will fall on this nation!