You Are Blessed

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. 

Life in Christ is the greatest reward.  In Christ means you have chosen the Way to heaven. It means you are considered a child of God. Nothing could be more important.

Following Christ, however, comes at a price. That price is persecution for your beliefs. Not everyone would call it persecution. Not everyone is going to believe what you have experienced is real. You will meet with resistance, antagonism, churlish responses, quickly ended conversations, or even ignoring. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

There you have it. These are more subtle ways of persecution and yet some are being, have been and will be physically persecuted for their faith. 

It can be kind of hard to rejoice in the midst of rejection! But thankfully it only takes a short time to shake off the negative words or actions and regain the joy and peace that only Jesus brings, knowing that Jesus is not always a popular subject. 

Later in Matthew 5 followers are called the salt of the earth and the light of the world...for Jesus. We are to continue where He left off, opening eyes of those who do not believe, understanding that if He was persecuted, so we shall be.

I was thinking this morning about Jesus' first statement after being baptized and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The words were: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. That may have been a couple thousand years ago, but we are closing the gap when the kingdom of God truly will be at hand. I thought about how many say, "Yeah, right; He still hasn't returned. We've heard this all before." 

Two thousand years ago He started with a handful of men, walking in their very small territory. The numbers grew, means of transportation and technology have greatly increased the possibility of reaching others. Preaching to the ends of the earth has become a reality. All along the way followers were persecuted, including most of His disciples. Some people they encountered believed, some didn't. It didn't stop those followers then, so it won't stop  followers today. Nothing changes. It's worth the cost...

In fact, Philippians 3:8 tells us this: Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Great is your reward in heaven if you stick to your guns and stand steady in your faith despite what others might say or think.

John 15:20 - Remember the word that I said to you, A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.