Blessed Are The Persecuted

The followers of Jesus can suffer for two reasons. We can suffer for messing up, as we have already discovered, or we can suffer for doing good. This is the message of the first verse of this beatitude - the eighth beatitude. It is also the message given to us by the apostle Paul.

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (NASB) 2 Tim. 3:12

The message is that every Christian who desires to live godly will suffer persecution. Do you desire to live a godly life? If you do, are you suffering for righteousness? If you claim to be a Christian and you are not suffering, then you are either not a follower of Jesus Christ or you do not have a desire to live a godly life. People will see how you live; they will discover that you will not lie for them. They will notice that you go to church. They will discover that you believe in Jesus, and they will take offense.

This beatitude is not talking about intentionally being an irritation to others. It is about simply living a holy life - just being righteous. That alone will be an irritation to others. It is just amazing that Christians can suffer because they stand for holiness. Yet, it is not a surprise. It is proof that we live in a very evil world. God warns us that darkness and light do not mix. Darkness hates the light (John 3:19) because the light exposes evil deeds. In fact the world wants us to accept their sin and join them. That is the message of Romans 1:28-32.

So we should not be surprised at the following statement regarding Christians.

They’re too far gone, for their beliefs have changed radically over the last few years. They worship a different God than the one we grew up with; perhaps it’s more accurate to say that they worship the Old Testament God, without the moderating influence of Jesus, who’s considered symbolic and sweet and nice-but nobody whose teachings must be obeyed. Ask a conservative Christian about Jesus’ teachings, and you’ll be told that they’re wonderful spiritual teachings-for the inner life, not the outer. Conservative Christians have adopted the warrior mentality of Onward Christian Soldiers, and intolerance is nothing to be hidden under a white robe and pointed white hood: it’s to be waved proudly as a flag demonstrating Christian rigor and personal rightness. Indeed, their conscience, their moral values, and their spiritual priorities have been altered, but not by hypocrisy. They’ve been reversed. What was wrong is now right. What was down is now up. What was evil is now good . . . (www.counterpunch.org)

The author does not understand that Jesus’ teachings focus on the attitude and intentions of the heart. The Sermon on the Mount describes the inner and outer life of a real follower of Jesus. The result is a changed outside (Matt. 15:16-20). What was wrong is still wrong and what was right is still right. What has occurred is that the morality of the western culture is changing because the culture has rejected God.

Remember that John the Baptist was murdered because he rebuked King Herod for adultery. Herod had a grudge against him according to Mark 6:17-19. As a result, John’s head was cut-off. Yet, Jesus has called us to love those who persecute us while we continue to stand for holiness.

Holiness begins in your home in front of your television, with your VCR and DVD player. Your commitment to holiness determines what you search for on the internet and what you look at on your computer, or read in books and magazines. Holiness is more than sex. It includes the words you speak, the attitude that you have for others, and your honesty. Holiness is about mourning over sin, submission to God, the desire to be holy, mercy, truth, and peacemaking. Where do you stand?

Blessed When They Insult You. The second part of the beatitude appears to be a repeat of the first part, but if we look closely we discover that it is not a repeat.

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. (NASB) Matt. 5:11

Yes, the second part of the beatitude refers to insults, lies, and persecution, but it is primarily about suffering because of our relationship with Jesus Christ. The world will also persecute us because we follow Jesus.