The Life and Ministry of Jesus
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10
Our Lord, in the course of the Beatitudes, pronounced the blessing of God on the humble, the penitent, the submissive, those with a passion for holiness, the kind, the righteous, and those who reconcile the alienated. But our Lord reserved His double blessing for those who are persecuted.
Direct your attention to that characteristic of righteousness which brings the double blessing of God, a willingness to take a stand for Jesus Christ in the face of opposition and persecution. As a brilliant light is painful to the eye, so the light of God’s holiness is painful to a sinner and he seeks to hide from it. The believer, placed in the world as a light, brings pain to the world. There can be no other response to him than that of rejection, persecution, bitterness, and hatred. 1
Personal Encouragement
It takes the grace of God to experience personal rejection and hostility from family and friends because of your testimony for Jesus Christ and His Word; and not respond with a similar hostility towards them. His grace is your confidence to stay in the Spirit.
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:19
The only protection from spiritual rejection is His faithful affirmation.
A Prayer
Lord, I am so thankful that You wrote a book about the rejection You received. You know exactly what I am feeling. Thanks for helping me to respond like You did.
1. Pentecost, J. D. (1999). Design for living: lessons in holiness from the Sermon on the mount. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.
