Persecuted (Part 1)

By Clifton Angel     There is one beatitude left for us to consider. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12). Let us consider this in three parts: (1) the reason; (2) the record; (3) the reward.     Jesus highlights three manners we may be persecuted. First, “men shall revile you.” Thayer’s Lexicon defines “revile” as “unjust reproach,...upbraid, cast...in one’s teeth.” In other words, hatred, insults, harsh criticisms, or condemnations which feel like a punch in the mouth. Second, “men shall...persecute you.” Thayer says, “in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest.” This includes physical violence to the point of our assailants continuously seeking to harm us. Third, Jesus says, “men shall...speak all manner of evil against you falsely.” Lies, slander, gossip, and other undermining tactics to attempt to silence faithful Christians (e.g., how often are Christians portrayed as “hate mongers,” “homophobic,” “xenophobic,” et al., for lovingly speaking where the Bible speaks?).     No one, in their right mind, desires to be persecuted. Yet, some will pretend to be persecuted for the sake of attention, sympathy, or compensation. Furthermore, many pretend to be persecuted, when in reality, they are suffering the consequences of their own wrongdoing. There are cases when we all suffer from the consequences of the unintentional actions of others and because we live in a world of death and decay. However, none of these fit the reasons Jesus gives for an oppressed person to be considered blessed. Remember, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake...and...for my [Jesus’] sake” (Matthew 5:10–11). This means we are persecuted for doing what is right according to God, and for the cause of Christ. This is not merely what I “think” is right, or what I feel is right, or what I’m passionate about. If we are criticized, injured, insulted, or slandered while doing what Jesus says is right, then we are blessed.     Peter wrote: “Who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good? But even if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for welldoing than for evil-doing” (1 Pet 3:13–17).

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/