Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake

Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake

Text: 
Matthew 5:10-12 states, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” 

Introduction:
God’s people have always experienced forms of persecution. Why do persecutions happen? How should we react to persecutions?

Discussion:
What is Persecution?
Persecution implies an opposition to the general norm of society and her worldly philosophies. "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). 1 John 2:15-17 states, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." Paul wrote, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Colossians 2:8). Persecution is a result of godly living. "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).

Persecution is suffering for the cause of Christ. Peter and John are great examples of such persecution. "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done" (Acts 4:13-21). In Acts 5:40-41, the account states, "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."

Stephen died for the cause of Christ. "Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:57- 60).

The early church was persecuted for the cause of Christ. "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles" (Acts 8:1).

Wrong Concepts of Persecution
Persecution is not suffering because of some sin that we have committed. " If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" ( 1 Peter 4:14-16).

Persecution is not the temptation to sin but is the suffering received for not surrendering to the temptation. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:12-15).

Wrong Attitudes to have When Being Persecuted
Retaliation, Resentment and a bitter attitude. We are not to "get even" but rather let God give the vengeance. "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not) (Romans 12:14). " Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:20-21).

Retreating or quitting. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9).

Rebuking God for the persecution . Job is a great example of one who refused to blame God for his misfortunes and persecution. "Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips" (Job 2:9-10).

Right Attitudes to have When Being Persecuted
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad when suffering for Christ. "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:12).

Realize the reward for being persecuted because of having a strong conviction for Christ. “For great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12).

Recall how great men and women of God endured persecutions in their life. Note Hebrews chapter 11 and see the men and women of God who endured persecutions. We can benefit from their example.

Conclusion:
God's plan reveals that after hearing the gospel taught, that we are to have faith (Romans 10:17; Mark 16:15-16). This faith leads us to repent of our sins and to confess the good name of Christ as the only begotten Son of God (Luke 13:3,5; Romans 10:9-10). The final step of God's plan of salvation is scriptural baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). We are then commanded to be faithful even until we died for Jesus to go to Heaven in the afterwhile (Revelation 2:10).

My friend, do you love God's Word? Will you consider our study today and then respond in loving obedience to the commands of God? May God bless you as you continue to read and study the Bible.

 Author Is Not Known.