Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Promise of Persecution
(Matthew 5:10-12)
Genuine righteousness always garners its detractors, its persecutors—if you will. In fact, the very last of Jesus’ Beatitudes does not treat persecution as an “if” but rather as a “when” (11). Those followers of Christ who exhibit concern for true holiness can expect derision in a world that is no friend to grace. And, for enduring the predicted persecution, Jesus promised a blessing.
Note, however, that the blessing for enduring persecution comes with some definite qualifiers. For example, the persecution that receives a blessing is persecution “for righteousness’ sake,” not ridicule for foolish behavior. Just because you’re a believer does not mean that all the criticism you endure will be rewarded. If someone criticizes you for something other than genuine righteousness, you’re not in good standing for a blessing.
Also, God blesses persecution only if those persecuting you “say all manner of evil against you falsely” (10). Many Christians give their detractors ammunition for verbal abuse by their poor living. If someone rightly criticizes you for a poor testimony, a public sin, or a bad attitude, it’s not persecution. It’s your fault.
And, lastly, persecution that ends in a blessing is always persecution that was initially engendered by your stand for Christ—“for my sake,” Jesus said. In other words, the persecution came because you stood up for the Lord among His enemies. That, my friend, is what enduring Christian persecution really means. And enduring genuine persecution brings the blessing of God.
