The Beatitudes

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 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 5:10-12

     In America, we are blessed to have freedom of speech, but Christians, more and more, are finding it difficult to stand on the Word of God without being judged and hated. The church of Christ should live in stark contrast to the world. Are we fitting in just a little too easily? So many Christians around the world are martyred each day. Would you be willing to stand up for Jesus if it meant your life?

     You may have read about Kayla, the girl murdered recently by the terror group, ISIS. In a letter to her parents she stated that even in prison there was a way to rejoice. She knew Jesus. Just as Paul reminded us in the book of Philippians as he sat in chains in prison;

“Rejoice in the Lord always, Again, I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

     Satan wants to distort truth and many will follow his lies. Jesus reminds us in His Words above, to rejoice and be glad when we are persecuted. Only through the Holy Spirit can we feel blessed when others hate us. It should come as no surprise.

Jesus tells us,

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15:18-19

     Be prepared. Standing up for Christ may not be easy. Blessed are we when we are persecuted for His name.

Jesus,

Keep us bold in the world around us. Our citizenship is in heaven. We do not belong to the world. You have chosen us. Blessed are we when we stand up for Your righteousness.

Amen