Day 28: Blessed are the persecuted

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Verse:  Matthew 5:10-12 

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people insult you, and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against 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.

Thought

Well these verses always alarm me somewhat!  I don't want to be persecuted!  Luckily we in the western world don't have to face the persecution that Christians in some counties face.  There are Christians around the world meeting in secret, forced to hide their faith for fear of death for them and their families.  You hear of people being punished and tortured in such dreadful ways for following Christ.  

Over that last couple of days, looking at the Beatitudes, Jesus has shown us the picture of the "ideal" believer. God expects this behaviour from us and of course we can't deliver it.  Thankfully we have Christ to shine his perfection on us.  But the world finds it difficult to accept the characteristics that Jesus asks us to display.  The Beatitudes go against the grain of most of the world.  In a world of self-promotion and pride, the poor in spirit aren't appreciated.  Hedonism doesn't lead to mourning over sin or meekness.  The poor are not honoured and it is all about getting rich!  Generally there is little appreciation of mercy, purity and peace isn't making the news on a daily basis.   The "Persecuted" have clearly made the important decisions about the world to come. They have chosen to value what the King treasures rather than those things that man is attracted to by his eye and ear. Finding meaning in life not in pleasant treatment but in obedience to the King.

So are we persecuted?  Not in a being chased and tortured type of way, but how open are you about your faith.  does everyone at work know you are a Christian?  Do you make your faith public knowledge?  If not why not?  There is a perception that everyone is watching you, waiting for you to trip up if they know you are a Christian.  This is a fear of persecution that we have to contend with.   If you live a Christlike life, you will provoke the same reactions in the world that Jesus provoked during his life.  Some will respond to your love and will be led to a relationship with Him.  But Jesus met a lot of resistance and created antagonism when he confronted unrighteousness.

If you aren't experiencing persecution it's probably because people don't know you are a Christian or because the way you live isn't different enough to be noticeable.  Is it time to stir the water?

Prayer

Lord God, let me welcome challenges to my faith and the be proud to stand and be counted as one of your children.  Give me courage to stand up to the strength of my convictions, and not be afraid of the consequences. Help me to live out the characteristics you ask for in the Beatitudes.