Beatitude 8: The persecuted
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven — Matthew 5:10
When you are a peacemaker who is filled with righteousness, then expect to be persecuted as forewarned by Jesus. We live in a dark world that hates the light because their dark deeds would be exposed. John 3:19
Our Lord Jesus was persecuted by the world for the truth same way as followers of Christ, we would be persecuted as noted in John 15:20;
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
When the bible says, “…The truth will set you free” in John 8:32, it doesn’t mean freedom from persecution. In fact, there are times when speaking the truth will put you in serious trouble and that is part of the cross you carry as you live for Christ.
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:16
Truth be told, to live a godly life there is no guarantee in the scriptures for a trouble-less life. Many believers still find it difficult to accept this fact, they hope to have the best life in this world. They can’t seem to set their eyes on the heavenly reward even after Jesus said;
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11–12
There are very few who remember to rejoice during trials. Although, when people insult you or say all kinds of evil against you and even if you don’t retaliate, it’s normal to feel downcast. It takes a super-normal person to rejoice in such a situation and this can only happen when we let the Holy Spirit work in us. And that same Spirit working in us can make us love those who treat us badly.
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44
When you can pray for those who persecute you then you know you’re now a new creation in Christ. The righteousness of Christ has been imparted in you to do things your old nature couldn’t do. No wonder the early disciples could endure through hardship as Paul wrote;
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. 1 Corinthians 4:12–13
The good side of the Church persecution
There is no argument that persecution in any form is evil on the part of those committing the crime, but I believe God allows it to strengthen the church.
Here I can point out two good sides of the church persecution in the book of Acts
- To spread out the church
So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch… (Acts 11:19)
The early church was consecrated at one point in Jerusalem when they began but because of persecution, they scattered to other areas which helped to spread the gospel beyond Judea.
It is normal for people to be comfortable in their hometown until something makes them move to other places. In the old testament, people move to another country due to famine or war. This time, the early church moved due to persecution which was needed for the growth of the church.
2. Prayer awakening in the church
Sometimes, the church becomes complacent in prayers until something terrible happens to move them to action.
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Acts 12:5
When Peter was arrested, the church awoke to pray which strengthened their faith when Peter was miraculously released from the prison.
From history, we know there were many saints who were persecuted when they ventured into new areas to preach the gospel. Their resilience and even death paved the way for others to build the church in such places.
Today, there are Christians in some countries facing persecution like the early church. We should always remember them in our prayers.
