Praise
the Lord!!
"Blessed
are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10)
When a
person admits his sin, cries out to God for mercy, he is pardoned by grace
through the cross, and then goes on to live a life as a follower of Jesus
Christ. But now he becomes an enemy of the world. He faces opposition. Jesus
said that the result of His ministry would be contention and division. First,
opposition comes from a person's own family. In Matthew 10:34-36, He said,
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not
come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his
father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her
mother-in-law - a man's enemies will be members of his own household".
Many families are divided and parents are separated from children because of
their faith in Jesus. Why? Because the one who is filled with Holy Spirit
manifests righteousness before his unrighteous family members. Secondly,
opposition would come from the society. Sometimes there will be persecution
even to the point of shedding blood. In I Peter 4:12- 13, Peter said,
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering,
as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you
participate in the sufferings of Christ", and in verse 14, he said,
"If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed".
Rev. John Schmidt wrote, "When somebody is persecuted for Christ, they
don't have halos around them. We don't look at them and say, "O how
blessed they are!" When people are actually being persecuted they look
desperate. But Jesus looks at them and says, "Congratulations, my beloved,
because heaven belongs to you and you will have a reward".
Dear
friends, let us not become weary when people insult us, persecute us and
falsely say all kinds of evil against us because of our faith in Christ. But,
by the power of the Holy Spirit let us endure all sufferings patiently.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, give me the
strength to face the insults, ridicule and persecutions boldly. Let me never
renounce my faith in you nor deny Jesus when I face opposition, but let me
rejoice that I will receive a great welcome in heaven by you and all the
angels. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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