7/10/2008 | Learning The Characteristics Of A Christian PT. VII

Greetings, today’s scriptures are the closing scriptures of the series “Learning The Characteristics Of A Christian” and these scriptures are found in Matthew 5:10-12 and they read:

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."

 

Breakdown

When looking at the definition of persecution, it says “to be pursued with harassing or oppressive treatment because of religion, beliefs, or race”; and righteousness is defined as “morally upright; without sin or guilt.” So we can read verse 10 as “God blesses those who are being harassed or receiving oppressive treatment because of their morally and upright living, and they will receive the Kingdom of Heaven for their reward.” Also, verse 11 goes right along with it saying that God will also bless you when people mock you, lie on you, etc., just because you are a follower of God.

These are uplifting scriptures that inspire us and warn us to continue to strive for a righteous lifestyle no matter what people may say. Verse 12 lets us know that experiencing treatment like this, isn’t something new that no Christian before us hasn’t experienced already; stating that the prophets which were before us went through the same thing.

So in today’s language, don’t let the haters stop you from serving God and doing what is right! God will bless you for holding up the blood stained banner for his sake and proclaiming that Jesus is Lord at all times. Verse 12 tells us to be glad when things like this happens to you, because although it may not feel like much down here on earth at the time, the bible says that “great is your reward in heaven”; and heavenly rewards are far more greater and longer lasting than any earthly reward or persecution that we could possibly go through!

Question

Have you let “haters” affect your strive for righteous living and your relationship with God?