Thursday | Matthew 5:10-12

Those Who Are Righteous | Matthew 5:10-12

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  

The Bible repeatedly speaks and teaches on the persecution of God’s people and very often it can be unsettling because no one wants to be persecuted, however, persecution and suffering are a part of the Christian life. It is an aspect that not only teaches us about the person and life of Jesus but draws us closer to Him.  

Additionally, the people of God are not only going to be persecuted, but they are not going to be persecuted because they are good or moral. Jesus tells us that Christians will be persecuted because they are righteous. That is, that Christians are in right standing before God and that is the reason for persecution.

Further, persecution is meant to be walked through in joy. That does not mean that we’re going to be happy in our circumstance, but despite our circumstance joy is the posture we walk in because of the words of Jesus, “your reward is great in heaven.” Our reward is two-fold: in our daily life, we will reflect and preach the grace and glory of Jesus in word and deed. In heaven, our reward is eternal presence with God; something that, no matter who or what comes by the way of persecution, can take away for it is an imperishable gift (1 Peter 1:4).

Christian, persecution will come, but you must remember that it begins with Jesus. And in persecution and hardship, we are given the opportunity to walk in a manner where grace is at the core of who we are. This doesn’t mean that we’re passive, but it does mean that we are active in prayer and in our pursuit of holiness. Persecution, whether it’s because of what we’ve done or who we are, will come for the righteous. The question, then, is, Christian, are you righteous before God in Christ?