10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. (Matthew 5:10-11)
The level of persecution against God’s people in the world today is staggering. It’s not covered in the primary news outlets. In fact, often these organizations often enable persecution by advancing a world view hostile to the biblical world view. Note that the spiritual perspective Christians have that require us to oppose evil is altered by the media into a political perspective.
The persecution of biblical Christians is often times unto death. People are killed, imprisoned, tortured because they refuse to renounce their faith. Churches are burned. God’s people are pursued by the wicked.
What is the signature characteristic of the true church of Jesus Christ? Facility? Programs? Numbers of people who attend church? Revenue? Pastoral book sales? Political alignment? These verses in Matthew describe both the characteristic of the true church as well as its result. Righteousness is the characteristic, persecution is the result.
Righteousness is not self generated. It’s not a self righteousness based on human standards. It comes from God as we place the full weight of our lives in his hands in repentance and faith, complete trust in Jesus Christ. Later in this same gospel, Jesus established the top priority for his people: “seek first the kingdom and his righteousness”. His righteousness, not our own or that of the culture.
When God’s people hold fast to what is true as defined by his word, they find themselves increasingly at odds with the cultural values which continue to accelerate towards wickedness. When the culture explicitly and openly rejects biblical truth and adopts wickedness as the norm, then it’s no wonder the people of the culture would turn against those who adhere to the truth of God’s word. The result can only be persecution. It gets worse when evil cultural norms become codified by government, with the force of law behind it. Wickedness becomes legal and eventually the basis of legal action to include fines, lawsuits, imprisonment against those who must stand on God’s word.
Seeking his righteousness means rejecting the unrighteousness of the culture that has redefined good as evil and wickedness as good. Good and evil are already defined by the Lord in the scriptures. That hasn’t changed. Regardless of the rejection of biblical truth, God’s moral law is still in effect just as always because he does not change, nor does his Word. It is still his law that is the basis of his coming judgement. His righteousness will prevail.
The day is coming when adhering to biblical truth will bring persecution. In that day biblical Christians must hold fast to what is right in the sight of God no matter what may result. If you are a biblical follower of Christ, it may someday cost you everything you have in this world. It’s OK. Be prepared to give up worldly things to retain your faith.
Jesus said when you are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, then you are blessed. Why? Because God’s kingdom is coming soon. It will crush all other kingdoms and it will be established in accordance with his righteousness. If you trust in Christ and stand on his Word, you will inherit a kingdom that will not ever again be polluted with wickedness and evil. The wicked may persecute the righteous now, but they will not enter the Kingdom of God.
The wicked will have their day. But then God will have his day. God’s kingdom is coming. It cannot be stopped. It shall crush the wicked kingdom of this present world.
Don’t set your mind on pursuing the things of this world which will perish. Set your mind and heart on the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God the father. Repent. Trust Christ. Then you shall be part of his kingdom forever.
