Blessed are those who are persecuted...
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Our churches are filled with a lot of comfortable Christians. People living in a comfort of salvation in the knowledge that by believing in Christ they have nothing more they MUST do. At the time of Jesus there were a lot of people just like these. The most well known were the Pharisees, but Jesus spoke out against these men and women. The early Christian Church was in no way easy. In fact as we look through the Book of Acts and read through the writings of Paul there was nothing but persecution. The persecution came because it did not fit in the norms of society at that time. It challenged and it shined a light into every dark corner of the world and revealed the ugliness of sin that we are all caught up in. Jesus calls us to be lights to the world and to bring change to the world. Reading through Ephesians 4:17 – 5:20 can become overwhelmed by all the law that seems to be poured out onto all who believe, but there is hope. As you give your life over to God you will be challenged and the dread that fills you will go away and it will be replaced by a desire to live out your life for Christ at all costs. Living your life in Christ becomes a mantra and a way to be as the Apostle Paul says, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain!” (Philippians 1:21) When we live our lives in the light of Christ and are persecuted and looked down upon because of faith we can be joyful in knowing that there are greater rewards awaiting us in Heaven.
- Matthew 5:10 (NIV)
Our churches are filled with a lot of comfortable Christians. People living in a comfort of salvation in the knowledge that by believing in Christ they have nothing more they MUST do. At the time of Jesus there were a lot of people just like these. The most well known were the Pharisees, but Jesus spoke out against these men and women. The early Christian Church was in no way easy. In fact as we look through the Book of Acts and read through the writings of Paul there was nothing but persecution. The persecution came because it did not fit in the norms of society at that time. It challenged and it shined a light into every dark corner of the world and revealed the ugliness of sin that we are all caught up in. Jesus calls us to be lights to the world and to bring change to the world. Reading through Ephesians 4:17 – 5:20 can become overwhelmed by all the law that seems to be poured out onto all who believe, but there is hope. As you give your life over to God you will be challenged and the dread that fills you will go away and it will be replaced by a desire to live out your life for Christ at all costs. Living your life in Christ becomes a mantra and a way to be as the Apostle Paul says, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain!” (Philippians 1:21) When we live our lives in the light of Christ and are persecuted and looked down upon because of faith we can be joyful in knowing that there are greater rewards awaiting us in Heaven.
posted by Rev. Christopher Byars at 5:31 PM
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