Boldness Through Persecution
Written by: Rafael V.
Read Matthew 5:10
Let's face it, persecution is not a topic that we all enjoy or want to hear, but it's very vital in our walk with Christ. To be persecuted for righteousness’ sake infers that we are oppressed or suffer for being like Christ. Righteousness is when we are “like Christ”. Jesus was the supreme example of righteousness. While we may desire to be righteous like Christ, we would prefer not to experience the persecution part of this beatitude.
The minute we said yes to Jesus we said yes to everything that comes with following Him.
As Jesus prepared to depart this world, He knew that difficult days lay ahead for His disciples. He wanted them to be ready for the most challenging times they would ever face. Jesus explained how they could endure through the troubles of this life: here's what He said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Consider the Great Men in the Bible who suffered greatly for the sake of the Gospel. Stephen, the first martyr. Paul the apostle, Peter, and John just to mention a few. But what drove them to do what they did was the promise that Jesus made in the sermon of the mount, that though they were persecuted for righteousness sake they will gain the kingdom of God. And this is what we have to look forward to today. We may not suffer as they did, or be persecuted as they were, but there will be persecution in many forms. That's when you need to be prepared, stand firm and ask God for boldness so that for His namesake we can endure what's to come.
The apostle Paul said, “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)
He understood the meaning of persecution for righteousness sake. My question to you is, do you understand what it means?
Let's face it, persecution is not a topic that we all enjoy or want to hear, but it's very vital in our walk with Christ. To be persecuted for righteousness’ sake infers that we are oppressed or suffer for being like Christ. Righteousness is when we are “like Christ”. Jesus was the supreme example of righteousness. While we may desire to be righteous like Christ, we would prefer not to experience the persecution part of this beatitude.
The minute we said yes to Jesus we said yes to everything that comes with following Him.
As Jesus prepared to depart this world, He knew that difficult days lay ahead for His disciples. He wanted them to be ready for the most challenging times they would ever face. Jesus explained how they could endure through the troubles of this life: here's what He said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Consider the Great Men in the Bible who suffered greatly for the sake of the Gospel. Stephen, the first martyr. Paul the apostle, Peter, and John just to mention a few. But what drove them to do what they did was the promise that Jesus made in the sermon of the mount, that though they were persecuted for righteousness sake they will gain the kingdom of God. And this is what we have to look forward to today. We may not suffer as they did, or be persecuted as they were, but there will be persecution in many forms. That's when you need to be prepared, stand firm and ask God for boldness so that for His namesake we can endure what's to come.
The apostle Paul said, “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)
He understood the meaning of persecution for righteousness sake. My question to you is, do you understand what it means?
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