“As long as people have no reason to believe that we are Christians, at least obedient and righteous Christians, we need not worry about persecution.” – John MacArthur
Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Have you ever been persecuted for your faith in Christ? If so, did you feel blessed for it? If not, why not? Maybe you are not living your faith the way Christ tells you too, because if you are a Christian then there is a promise of persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” If you are not or have not been persecuted for your faith in some manner then I would take a look at what is going on in your faith walk.
Being blessed for persecution is something that seems very opposite of the way if feels when persecution occurs. Unless of course blessing in this case is not a feeling, but an internal aspect of our faith. It is the internal, blessed means to be fully satisfied, but this is not to be from the things of this earth or life, but because of Christ’s indwelling you. Makes being persecuted that much easier and truly blessed; knowing that we are in a relationship with our Savior and some day will be able to spend eternity with Him. What better reward is there!!
If you have not faced ridicule, rejection, criticism or ostracism for your faith it may be time to look at what you truly believe. If the world starts praising us for who we are then we definitely need to look at what is going on, because it is not the world that has become better, but we who have become more like the world. And if we are being loved by the world, we can be assured that we are not in God’s love. 1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
Listen to Richard Wurmbrand talk a little about his persecution, and then see if being called names or being ostracized is still a big deal.
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