"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for they persecuted the prophets before you."

 

Matthew 5:10-13 NASB

 

For many of us, this attitude Jesus gives toward persecution sounds foreign. Especially when we live in a nation built on a Judeo-Christian foundation. We live relatively free from suffering compared to Christians who live in pagan nations. However, as Corrie Ten Boom wrote, there are many Christians who are already "in tribulation."¹ Jesus calls those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness blessed because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Paul wrote in Thessalonians that through their afflictions God considers them worthy of the Kingdom of God.²  Jesus said when men casts insults and say all kind of evil against us falsely on account of His name we are blessed. We are to rejoice and be glad because our reward in heaven is great. We are persecuteted because the prophets were persecuted before us!³ Remember Elijah and Jeremiah? They were some of the prophets who were persecuted in the days of Israel

Peter wrote in his first epistle we are blessed when we suffer for the sake of righteousness:

 

"...even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED⁴, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right than for doing that is wrong."

 

First Peter 3:13-17 NASB

 

As Jesus said "do not be afraid of those who kill the body, "⁵ Peter said "do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled" but sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts. And always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks us to give an account for our hope that is in us. Jesus at the Olivet discourse said to His disciples when our oppressors come to persecute us, it will lead to an opportunity for our testimony.⁶

Peter wrote that we should always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks us to give an an account in gentleness and reverence for the hope that is in us. This should always be on our minds wherever we are. There are lost souls who are in desperate need of our Lord. And if they see the hope that is in us. And they asks us, don't they need to know? And  persecutors who rebel against God because they are blind and they need to that they too can have access to the Lord and Savior.

Peter also said keep a good conscience so that the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.  In that way when we are reviled, they may be put to shame and they have no valid excuse to revile us. How many times do non-believers say Christians are hypocrites? And many times they do see Christians who live like the world and tell dirty jokes and see our lifestyle are no different than theirs? So, therefore we should have a good conscience of our behavior at all times just like we are living for Jesus. And as Peter wrote it is better if "you suffer for doing what is right than for doing that is wrong." Remember we are blessed when we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. 

 Peter further wrote:

 

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing as though as something strange comes upon you; but the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.

"If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rest upon you.

"By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; for if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God.

"For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will the outcome who do not obey the gospel of God?⁷  AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME IF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?⁸

"Therefore, let those who also suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right."

 

First Peter 4:12-19 NASB

 

Should we be surprised when we face trials of persecution? Only if you believe shouldn't face these trials. However, if we diligently study the word, this will not be a surprise to us at all. We are to share the sufferings of Christ, and continue to rejoice. And when Jesus returns we may rejoice with exultation. Remember, if we are reviled for Christ's name we are blessed. And, we are to suffer for the sake of righteousness and when we are wrongfully accused, we are blessed. Peter said that none of us should suffer as a murder, slanderer, thief, meddler, or an evildoer, For these things are sinful and do not glorify God. And if anyone does, then he is rightfully not blessed. If anyone suffers for the sake of Christ, he should not be ashamed but he should glorify God. 

Peter wrote if it is  time of judgment has begun with the household of God, what will happen to the sinner? Remember in Second Thessalonians, It is God's righteousness judgment that we suffer affliction for the kingdom. And this judgment is continuing and will end when our afflicters are repaid at the revelation of Christ.⁹ We who suffer should entrust our souls to God in doing what is right.

 

 

 

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that testing of your faith produces endurance

 

James 1:2-3 NASB

 

 

Footnotes

1. Corrie Ten Boom - The Coming Tribulation  ©1974, Logos Journal

2. Second Thessalonians 1:5

3. See Matthew 23:29-39

4. Isaiah 8:12:

"You are not to say, 'it is a conspiracy!' in regard to all that this people call a conspiracy,

And you are not to fear what they fear or be dread of it..." (NASB)

5. Luke 12:4

6. Luke 21:13

7. See Second Thessalonians 1:6-8

8. Proverbs11:31:

If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth,

How much more the wicked and the sinner! (NASB)

9. Second Thessalonians 1:8