The Beatitudes-The Persecuted, Part Two

Blessed are the Persecuted, for Righteousness Sake

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Myself, and Bobby the Seeker explored the concept of for righteousness sake. This beatitude is not about being persecuted for being a jerk. What do I mean by this statement?

In our culture today there are those who claim they are standing for truth, standing for righteousness but the way they are doing it is not any reflection of righteousness. Far from it. Plus there are many times what they would call righteous is contrary to what Scripture would call righteous. We all need to check our heart to make sure what we are standing for and how we are standing for it gives honor to God.

We need to ask if we are being persecuted and being falsely accused because of our association, our identity in Christ or in something else. We need to make sure our identity is in Christ, not in any man-made system. If not, we will be standing for a man-made system not righteousness.

I would suggest to read and re-read this beatitude to ensure you keep a pure heart when it comes for what you are standing for.

Matthew 5:10-12

¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12 ESV

¹⁰ “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for ^[c]doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. ¹¹ “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. ¹² Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12 AMP

Blessed

We will be taking a look at the definitions of the word blessed. In the beatitudes it is not about being blessed financially or in material things, even though our Heavenly Father can certainly bless us in those realms. But those who are being persecuted normally are not materially blessed.

By the grace of God you can go through anything and come out the other side as a blessed person.

False Accusations

How many American Christians are being falsely accused for their association with Christ and their godly lifestyle? The truth is for most Christians if they are being persecuted it is because they are being jerks as they stand for righteousness, or because they have made wrong choices. Those who are not being persecuted are those who live a life of apathy. But there are those who are living a Christlike life that may face some persecution and they feel the strength of God in their life as they stand for righteousness.

How About You?

How about you? Are you standing for righteousness? Are you willing to be persecuted for living for Christ? Have you experienced the blessing of God as you life a godly life? If so, how about sharing what you have learned about Blessed are the persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the Persecuted-Part Two Podcast

Beatitudes Series
Beatitudes-Introduction
Blessed Are Those Who Are Poor in Spirit
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
Blessed Are The Meek
Blessed Are the Peacemakers-Part One
Blessed Are the Peacemakers-Part Two
Blessed Are the Peacemakers-Part Three
Blessed Are the Peacemakers-Part Four
Blessed Are the Merciful-Part One
Blessed Are the Merciful-Part Two
Blessed Are the Merciful-Part Three
Blessed Are the Merciful-Part Four
Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
Blessed Are the Pure in Heart-Part One
Blessed Are the Pure in Heart-Part Two
Blessed Are the Pure in Heart-Part Three
Blessed Are the Persecuted-Intro
Blessed Are the Persecuted-Part One

#beatitudes #persecution #thereishoperadio #preacherrichd