Matthew 5:10-12
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. In the sermon on the mount Jesus says teaches us that those who are persecuted are those who have been wrongly treated because of their faith. God is pleased when his people show that they value him above everything in the world, and this happens when they courageously remain faithful amid opposition for righteousness’ sake. And just as Jesus experienced opposition and persecution, his disciples can expect the same. Their reward may not come on earth, but it surely will be theirs in heaven. so they persecuted the prophets. Throughout history, beginning with Cain’s murder of Abel (Gen. 4:8), there have been those who oppose God’s people. And this persecution can be seen in the world today. Are there areas in your life where you feel persecuted for being a Christian? During those times of persecution do you feel like rejoicing?
6 Comments
Shanin Macaluso
5/8/2021 07:33:04 am
So often I lose perspective of eternity. I once saw Beth Moore use a very powerful visual to bring that error into proper perspective. She stretched out a very long rope that extended beyond the stage in both directions. She said, “This is eternity.” Then she held the rope in the middle with both hands, about an inch apart and said, “This is your life on earth.” If we could maintain this understanding, how differently would we live? What could we tolerate that seems unbearable? The prophets and disciples seemed to fully grasp the concept to the point of martyr’s deaths; persecution was nothing in face of eternity. I’ve been praying that God would bring me boldness, along with discernment on when to use it.
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Laura D
5/8/2021 10:38:35 am
That’s a super visual, Shanin.
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Jesse Dominguez
5/8/2021 09:06:25 am
If being shunned is being persecuted, then yes, there are people in my life who minimize their exposure to me. I guess, truth be told, I also limit my exposure to them. One thing that is common from those who oppose me and oppose Christ in me is that they are either living in outright sin or practicing a form of religion that denies the power therein. I haven't felt like rejoicing but more saddened by the lack of ability to have a conversation about our differences and I do have have confidence that a conversation would do any good, so that's an area I need to work on.
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Laura D
5/8/2021 10:35:09 am
The short answer is: no, don’t feel persecution. One of my concerns with my answer is that it points to my being too insulated. I live with Christians, minister with them, spend time in community with them and have little exposure to those in need of hearing the Gospel. I’d like to make an effort to change that.
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Daniel A Macaluso
5/8/2021 10:49:11 am
We're fortunate that, in the US, so far few of us have faced true persecution. But we have faced, like Jesse said, shunning and, in my case, persistent political attacks at work. In the secular workplace--especially in Higher Education--there is a tolerated level of behavior that almost consistently goes unrecognized and, even if recognized, unpunished. So colleagues in every job I've ever had have thrown arrows to try to take me down. But I NEVER fought back likewise--overtly because of my faith--which actually emboldened and empowered the attackers. Oy Vey! But, thank God, my running and clinging to my God in these times gave me ultimate victory. I slowly learned over the years to let him fight my battle (I could list some great Psalms that I clung to, but the truth is, it's MOST of David's Psalms). So, after a career of this kind of nonsense--and always seeing God protect me and prosper me, I actually moved from enduring the craziness, to embracing it as a reminder of my utter inability to survive on my own and my utter dependence on my Father. These times drew me even closer to him to the point where I remember shocking myself actually thanking him for the trials because it reminds me where my true joy, affirmation, confidence, and power come from. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the World.
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Matthew Frank
5/8/2021 12:21:34 pm
I can honestly say that I have never, up to this point, been punished for my faith. I know that the day is coming soon though where this will be the norm. It also raises a question of how much I really stand with boldness and fight for my beliefs. Sometimes its easier to just ignore inflammatory comments made and I'm reminded of Peter and his denial of Jesus. My natural tendency is striving to be liked and appreciated by others, not to rock the boat but to find the middle ground and comprise. What if I am compromising my opportunity to be bold for Christ and share the gospel in these moments. :( fortunately even the disciples faced similar struggles but they eventually got it! Even to the point of death.
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