Blessed Are the Persecuted
Blessed Are the Persecuted
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10
The words, blessed are those who are persecuted, sound contradictory and confusing.
You may wonder, what blessing could there be for someone imprisoned because of their faith? What blessing does God have for those who are martyrs? What kind of a God would let his followers face such persecution?
In the sequence of eight blessings, Jesus culminates with the high honor of being united with Christ so deeply that other people treat you the way they treat Jesus.
This eighth blessing is actually a double blessing. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account” (Matthew 5:10-11.)
The blessing given to those who are persecuted for righteousness sake is an elite blessing.
Jesus goes on to exhort those who receive this high blessing, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:12.)
If you love Jesus, he wants you to know that the goal is not persecution, but rather such union with Christ that leaves you more concerned with pleasing him than pleasing people.
Spiritual maturity is marked by a stronger desire for every blessing of Christ than the desire for life itself.
Loving Father, for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Please PRAY!
We are asking God for the remaining world countries and U.S.A. states to receive the training of the College of Prayer. Pray with us today for Samoa and Illinois.
YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.
This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10
The words, blessed are those who are persecuted, sound contradictory and confusing.
You may wonder, what blessing could there be for someone imprisoned because of their faith? What blessing does God have for those who are martyrs? What kind of a God would let his followers face such persecution?
In the sequence of eight blessings, Jesus culminates with the high honor of being united with Christ so deeply that other people treat you the way they treat Jesus.
This eighth blessing is actually a double blessing. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account” (Matthew 5:10-11.)
The blessing given to those who are persecuted for righteousness sake is an elite blessing.
Jesus goes on to exhort those who receive this high blessing, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:12.)
If you love Jesus, he wants you to know that the goal is not persecution, but rather such union with Christ that leaves you more concerned with pleasing him than pleasing people.
Spiritual maturity is marked by a stronger desire for every blessing of Christ than the desire for life itself.
Loving Father, for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Please PRAY!
We are asking God for the remaining world countries and U.S.A. states to receive the training of the College of Prayer. Pray with us today for Samoa and Illinois.
YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.
This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence
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