Matthew 5:10
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” If a man will be subjected to hard times, let it be for Christ’s sake. If men will speak ill of you, let it be because you have lived a righteous life. If my trouble comes from holy living, let it come. How can we complain if we are ostracized for our wealthy lifestyle? My company may fair short of a brutish man’s cronies; yet, I have Christ as a chaperone; he has Satan for a liaison. I am blessed; he is cursed. My face bears the pain of a broken soul; his face bears the pain of a lost soul. What will it be for you? Will you be blessed for your appetite for righteousness, or will you be cursed for your inhibitions toward evil (Deut. 11:26‑28; Deut. 28)?
This is contrary to the pop culture faith of today which says, if you are a nice person, everyone will like you and go to church with you (Luke 6:26; 21:17). On the contrary, those who live “Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). We are being programmed to think that being a good person is going to change the corrupted culture that surrounds us. People actually believe good deeds will make men’s hearts change. The only thing that will change men’s hearts is repentance. The words of Jesus ring clearly here (Rev. 2:16). The question this passage poses is this: Do you want to be persecuted by the world for your righteousness, or do you want to be persecuted by Christ for your unrighteousness?
The Bible tells us very painstakingly the way of righteousness is not traveled by the multitudes (Jer. 6:16; Matt. 7:13‑14). Will you be one of the few? Will you give up the pleasures of the world for more of the Lord’s presence? Will you lose all to gain eternal life? Let me say very clearly I’m not talking about a Christian commune or militia. I’m speaking of your personal individual decision to fellow Christ. This is where the rubber meets the road of life. Many start out serving the Lord; and when persecutions come for the Word’s sake, by and by they fall apart (Mark 4:17). Notice the Bible said they are immediately offended. I leave you with a question. How long would it take for the devil to get you offended against the Word?
Word for Today
Galimatias – Nonsense; gibberish.
Quote for Today
A man that won’t tell the truth won’t live the truth, but a man who will live the truth will eventually tell the truth.
– raj
This is contrary to the pop culture faith of today which says, if you are a nice person, everyone will like you and go to church with you (Luke 6:26; 21:17). On the contrary, those who live “Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). We are being programmed to think that being a good person is going to change the corrupted culture that surrounds us. People actually believe good deeds will make men’s hearts change. The only thing that will change men’s hearts is repentance. The words of Jesus ring clearly here (Rev. 2:16). The question this passage poses is this: Do you want to be persecuted by the world for your righteousness, or do you want to be persecuted by Christ for your unrighteousness?
The Bible tells us very painstakingly the way of righteousness is not traveled by the multitudes (Jer. 6:16; Matt. 7:13‑14). Will you be one of the few? Will you give up the pleasures of the world for more of the Lord’s presence? Will you lose all to gain eternal life? Let me say very clearly I’m not talking about a Christian commune or militia. I’m speaking of your personal individual decision to fellow Christ. This is where the rubber meets the road of life. Many start out serving the Lord; and when persecutions come for the Word’s sake, by and by they fall apart (Mark 4:17). Notice the Bible said they are immediately offended. I leave you with a question. How long would it take for the devil to get you offended against the Word?
Word for Today
Galimatias – Nonsense; gibberish.
Quote for Today
A man that won’t tell the truth won’t live the truth, but a man who will live the truth will eventually tell the truth.
– raj
posted by Christian Fellowship Center at
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
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