“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
When we read this statement, we picture Christians in third world countries who are abused for the gospel, which is certainly accurate. But there is more to it than that. At the time of this sermon, Jesus was pushing against social norms and cultural customs in what was considered the civilized world. His persecutors were convinced they were fighting for righteousness. The problem was that Jesus preached God’s definition of righteousness, not man’s… He preached that God required humility and obedience, which did not sit well with the “religious” elite.
Christ declared that those persecuted for righteousness receive the Kingdom of Heaven… a place where righteousness (whether popular or not) is rewarded. And the persecution He is referring to may be more subtle than the obvious abuse of the saints.
Along with those physically mistreated, He was also referencing those persecuted within the church for holding to inconvenient scripture. Passages that hinder the church’s marketing plan. Unfortunately, many “churches” today adhere to growth and profitability models, more than they follow the Bible. They choose to ignore problematic verses, and label those who disagree as intolerant.
Outside of the church Jesus may have also been referring to those persecuted by society for holding to the moral teaching in God’s word. If you hold to absolute truth, you will be labeled as harsh and dogmatic. Our culture loves to follow God until it requires us to change our behavior. At that point anyone who does not ignore these troublesome scriptures is labeled intolerant and mean spirited.
If you find yourself in that place this morning know that you are blessed. You may not be popular, but God sees your integrity and is pleased by your selfless obedience. Keep speaking the truth. Continue to love those who hate you. Your battle is not against them; it is against what controls them. They are in bondage, just as you once were.
This is not your home. Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven. So, while you pass through this world, continue to tell others the truth about the glorious King you serve and offer them the same love and forgiveness He has graciously bestowed on you.
“Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.” — William Penn
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