Blessed to Be Persecuted

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 
WE really don’t like this beatitude, this blessing, do we? Oh, we can tell one another, “Stand for Jesus in all circumstances! Rejoice in the ways people ridicule you, hate you, despise you or kill you because eternal life is yours in Jesus!”
   Yes, such words may come from our mouth, but we surely do not speak them from a blessing perspective. Think, for example, of how fearful and anxious we become when we want to do something new in Jesus’ church. Persecution surely comes if you want to change the music, drop a “program” (a bad word for ministry), paint the walls, discipline an unrepentant member or even teach Jesus’ truths of the Bible. Many a pastor has been silenced because they preached Jesus’ truth. There is even a silent persecution in churches when Bible studies are offered, and a small percentage of the church comes.
   No, we really prefer not to stand out for Jesus. We reject opportunities to talk to people of Jesus. We stop short of total commitment to a church ministry. We keep our mouths shut, refusing to stand for Jesus because classmates, workmates, and church mates will dismiss us a “religious” person and reject any personal relationship with us. We want to be wanted, even by those who do not want Jesus.
   These are the most common persecutions, but they are the easy forms of persecution. In the church’s history, beginning with Jesus’ lashings and cross, faithful Christians have followed Jesus where they do not want to go. Faithful men and women have been treated with exceptional cruelty and violently killed. And the persecution continues. At this moment in history, more people are killed for Christ’s sake than ever before. Where is the happiness in being persecuted?
   The happiness is in Jesus. Perhaps, “Happy are those who are persecuted.” is truly the best way to describe a kingdom heart’s response to Jesus’ unrelenting sacrificial love. If you love Jesus with all our heart, soul and strength, would you not be exceedingly glad to suffer in the name of the One who has suffered for your eternal life? Living for Jesus to the point we’re persecuted means we really do believe Jesus is who he says he is. This commitment, too, also means we are who we say we are. When you say, “I am a Christian.” you must be prepared to die to yourself. Remember, to live is Christ, to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21) This not a moral or proverb to feel good; it is a sacrificial commitment to Jesus’ love for you.
   Christians persecuted in body and soul reflect their Lord’s faithfulness to the Father and his violent death. They become his love in the flesh, suffering as their Savior suffered, loving as their Savior loved. When the persecution assaults you in various forms, you can, indeed, be happy you are found worthy to battle evil in God’s strength.
  
Remember: “Martyr” means “witness”. Can someone call you a martyr?