THE CRY OF THE MARTYRS
March 27, 2025HOW PRECIOUS, HOW GREAT!
March 29, 2025The words of the LORD Jesus Christ, on persecution, as found in Matthew 5:10-12, is very different and unconventional in its approach, to the subject of Christian persecution. Let us first read the passage, and then see what we can learn from it, in the context of rising persecution of Christians.
– “10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 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
Jesus says, we should consider it to be a blessing, when persecuted, and ought to rejoice, and be exceedingly glad for the same. Who would walk such a path? Would it be comforting to undergo persecution, let alone feel blessed, and rejoice, and be exceedingly glad? This is the “upside-down” approach to unjust and evil persecution of Christians. This is exactly opposite to what the world believes in, and would approach, if it were persecuted.
However, let us note, what the LORD lays as condition for our persecution…
– 10 Blessed are they which are PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE.
– 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you FALSELY, FOR MY SAKE.
– 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for GREAT is YOUR REWARD in heaven: FOR SO PERSECUTED THEY the PROPHETS which were BEFORE YOU.
We should ensure that we are not persecuted for any wrong reasons. This is made very clear Toni’s, in the Bible…
– “15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” – 1 Peter 4:15
– “19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” – 1 Peter 2:19-23
– “17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” – 1 Peter 3:17
We are called to suffer, and endure, injustice and evil, and not hit back or take vengeance. We can avail, any and every legal avenues for rectifying the injustices. However, if we do not get justice through such avenues, for whatever reasons, we are exhorted to leave it to God, and walk in His way, ever so faithfully and obediently. This is the Christian way of countering persecution, injustice, discrimination and oppression, as the Word of God lays it for us. We should never ever cross it. Even so the LORD help us.
