Matthew 5:10-11 ESV
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.Matthew 5:44 (ESV)44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Persecution is never pleasant here on Earth, sometimes it is down right revolting. Even in recent times ISIS has been known to behead the children of non-Muslims, who refuse to accept Islam, and they do it in front of the parents of the child! It also comes in much milder forms, like when someone assumes a Christian is stupid, before they even have a chance to find out.
I have been the victim of some of the milder persecutions before, it bugs me of course, but it would bug me even worse if I had never faced any persecutions. Many of the most Godly people in the Bible were persecuted, most of those were killed. Christ was one of those. If he did not escape persecution, why should I expect to?
When I am persecuted I take it as a sign that I am living as I should, and that Christ will one day reward me for my faithfulness to him.
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