Blessed! Part 8
We are going to end our study on the Beatitudes today by combining the last three verses:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely
say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,
for the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:10-12
I thought the definition for persecuted was very interesting. It literally means to follow after or aggressively chase like a hunter after his prey; to vex or oppress one on account of his religion.
Not to be outdone, insult means to revile, like showing one’s teeth; to curse.
Let’s be honest, most of us have not been chased down like we’re being hunted, but we can probably relate to being oppressed or cursed out.
I think we need to take a closer look at the word “because.” “Because” is a conjunction, meaning it connects two words or thoughts together.
”…because of righteousness,”
Jesus is telling us it’s for the reason of being righteous that we will be persecuted, insulted and lied about to others. So, what does “Righteous” mean? It is about justice in accordance with what God requires. Not what we think should happen or should be said. That can be a big difference.
Here’s the question that is blaring in my mind: “Are we being persecuted, lied about etc. because we are walking like Jesus and being obedient to God’s Word? Are we citizens of heaven doing what God requires? Are we honestly trying to live a life as a Jesus-follower or we are provoking? Are we saying things judgy and mean? Are we acting a fool and tagging God’s name on our life?”
The only way we are “Blessed” is if “we are righteous of character before God and righteous of actions before men.” Pastor Ray Pritchard
If we are not being that, although we are being insulted or lied about, we cannot claim the promise of being blessed and the kingdom of heaven.
BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS!
How many times have we not been righteous in our interactions with others and felt push back and called it persecution, when the reality is we’re just being a jerk or mean.
Character matters!
When Jesus lived here on earth, His life was a light into the world’s darkness. People were forced to look at their lives and their sin and hated Jesus because of it. If we are living like Jesus and being obedient in our personal lives and what He asks of us, we too will shine His Light into the darkness of those around us. They will be forced to face their lives and their sin, and for that, we run the risk of being hated also.
“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.
Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”
1 Peter 3:14
“If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,
you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory
and of God rests on you.”
1 Peter 4:14
One more thought about all this, we can run the risk of being offended when we look more at our suffering ~ being misunderstood, misrepresented, judged, rejected, hated ~ than why we are suffering. We need to keep our eyes and heart focused on Jesus and His promise that we will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Our part is to live a life worthy of Jesus. A life in accordance to what God requires and to be obedient to what He asks.
When we get hurt by others, we can go to Jesus with our pain and confusion, because He too is rejected, hated, lied about, misunderstood and misrepresented.
I want to rise to the challenge here and really examine my motive and measure my “righteousness levels”. Will you join me?
Holy Spirit, show us areas in our lives where we are not righteous before God or before men. Forgive me for when I was judgy and not loving. May my life be pleasing before God. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen!
I hope you have a wonderful day!
All My Love ~
Jodi
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