EMBRACING PERSECUTION

Matthew 5:10 (ESV)
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

In Romans 3:10 Paul says “none is righteous, no, not one”, which points to one’s inability to cure sinfulness without being set aside, to be made holy, righteous, in any way other than through faith in Jesus Christ. And this is possible only through His death on the cross preceding His resurrection.

In preparation for being hung on that cross, Pilate flogged Jesus, soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns, putting it on His head. The crowds mocked Him, saying “Hail, King of the Jews” and struck Him. He bore His own cross to The Place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.

As if being crucified on a cross wasn’t enough, Jesus was tremendously persecuted before His death.

We often hear the saying that Jesus was radically different. And if we are Christ-followers, we are the same.

Many non-believer worldviews today are similar to those in the days of God Incarnate walking on the earth. Fortunately for us, the chances of us being put to death for our faith, at least in the US, are slim to none.

But persecution comes in forms other than death and as pointed out in last week’s blog, the works of the flesh are many (Galatians 5:19-21).

Satan uses the attributes of fleshly works to attack those in whom the Holy Spirit lives, manifesting fruits only available to those who belong to Christ Jesus, having crucified the flesh with its passion and desires.

There is a warning to those living in the flesh at the end of Galatians 5:21 that says, “I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”.

By being set aside, holy, and righteous (attributes only available through faith), Christ-followers who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake are promised the kingdom of heaven.

While embracing persecution for what we believe may be difficult at times, James 1:1 says it best, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”