Standing So Visible
- that I am in opposition to the world, the flesh, and the devil
- and, because of that, suffering persecution?
- Am I rejoicing when men revile me
- and say all kinds of evil against me falsely for Christ's sake?
You’re blessed...
- when your commitment to God provokes persecution.
- The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
Not only that—
- count yourselves blessed every time people put you down
- or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me.
- What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.
- You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—
- for though they don’t like it, I do!
And all heaven applauds.
- And know that you are in good company.
- My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
The Message Eugene H. Peterson
God blesses...
- those who are persecuted for doing right,
- for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses you...
- when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you
- and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
- Be happy about it! Be very glad!
- For a great reward awaits you in heaven.
- And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Matthew 5:10-12
Jesus Christ says that blessedness—high goodness and rare happiness—
- comes from suffering “for My sake.”
- It is not suffering for conscience’s sake or for conviction’s sake
- or because of the ordinary troubles of life,
- but something beyond all that: “for My sake.
Jesus did not say,
- “Rejoice when men separate you from their company because of your own crotchety notions,”
- but when they criticize you, “for My sake.” When you begin to conduct yourself among others as a saint, you will stand absolutely alone—
- you will be reviled and persecuted.
- You cannot stand that treatment for a conviction or creed,
- but you can do it for a Being you love.”
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
Oswald Chambers
Comments
Post a Comment