We read Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and it goes something like this. Blessed are the poor in spirit….Yes, I realize I am nothing. Blessed are they mourn….Yes, I sorrow over my sin. And so on. Then we come to verses 10-12 “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. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
STOP! WAIT!! Run that by me again? Blessed are the PERSECUTED??? That’s where we begin to fully realize that truly being a Christian isn’t like most people seem to picture it. Most people are perfectly fine with being a Christian – UNTIL it “costs” them something. As long as no one makes fun of them or dislikes them or causes them any mental or physical harm – being a Christian is not too bad. HOWEVER, Jesus taught that IF we TRULY follow Him – IT WILL COST US! If we TRULY realize we are nothing, we sorrow over our sin, we bow before Him and seek after Him with ALL of our heart, we are merciful and kind to others, we seek to keep our hearts pure and clean before Him, and we strive to live peacefully with all people – we WILL experience persecution of one form or another, because not everyone around us is going to agree with or like our new life in Christ Jesus.
Paul writing to the church at Philippi writes, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” (Philippians 1:27-30) And He wrote to Timothy “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12) The CLEAR truth is that if we TRULY follow Jesus and live like a TRUE Christian should live – others WILL NOT like it or agree with us.
Now, that doesn’t mean all of us who seek to follow Him will be burned at the stake or beat or imprisoned. No, there are many forms of persecution. We may lose friends or alienate family members because of our stand for what is right. We may lose a job or not get a promotion because others know about our faith. People may laugh at us, mock us, ridicule us, tell lies about us, etc., because they don’t like what we stand for. To be honest, IF WE ARE TRUE BELIEVERS and live the way the BIBLE COMMANDS us to live – we WILL suffer persecution of one form or another. Note, Jesus said “blessed are those who are persecuted for RIGHTEOUSNESS’ sake” – Those who suffer for DOING WHAT IS RIGHT!
Too often we simply refuse to do what is right when we know others will not agree with us or others will laugh at us. That’s NOT the sign or character of a TRUE CHRISTIAN. We should be willing to do right NO MATTER WHAT IT COSTS US!! That’s the secret to TRUE happiness and contentment. Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Yes, it will cost us to live right – but so what? WHEN we live right according to God’s Word – we will have the PEACE of GOD ruling in our hearts and lives. It’s not easy – we all want people to like us. But we should NEVER stop doing what is right to please others. Our ONLY aim is to please our Master and Commander – Almighty God. And if that means we suffer for it – so be it!