Those Persecuted for the Sake of Righteousness_ Beatitudes (8)
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 5654 |
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September 01, 2019 |
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 Senior Pastor Rev. Jaerock Lee
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:10
The Beatitudes, the 8 blessings, are quite different from what people think is blessings. The Beatitudes in Matt. 5 is the way to receive true blessings, such as possessing heavenly kingdom by being poor in heart and having a resemblance of God's heart by being persecuted for righteousness.
Now, what is it to be persecuted for the sake of righteousness, and what is really true and eternal blessing given by God?
1. Those Who Have Been Persecuted for Righteousness
To be persecuted for the sake of righteousness is to be persecuted when you try to live by the word of God and pursue truth, goodness, and light. Even if you believe in Jesus Christ, you won't be persecuted if you compromise with the world.
However, 2 Tim. 3:12 says, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
Suppose you used to drink and your words and behavior were rough before accepting the Lord. After you accept the Lord, however, you quit drinking and try to live a godly life. Thus, you no longer hang out with your colleagues or friends. Even if you do, you don't find it fun, and they might not like the fact that you're different now. Or, you no longer go to meetings or other social gatherings on Sundays because you have to go church. In Korea, you might be persecuted by your family members for the fact that you no longer worship your ancestors.
The reason we suffer hardships for our faith is that light and darkness can never exist together. It's like water and oil can't be combined. When light is shed, darkness disappears. Likewise, the more children of God who is light, the less power the devil, the ruler of darkness, will have.
For this reason the devil and Satan instigate the unbelievers that belong to them to hate and persecute God's children who belong in the light, so that they might desert their faith. However, believers bringing persecutions upon themselves happens way more often than them being persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Some believers focus on church activities even to the extent that they neglect their studies or housekeeping work. But when they are persecuted for their actions, they mistakenly think they are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.
Jesus said in Mark 10:29-30, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life."
2. Blessed Are Those Who Have Been Persecuted for Righteousness
Matt. 5:10 says, "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Why does it say those people are blessed? It's because they can have the kingdom of heaven where there is eternal happiness.
As we overcome persecutions from the world by walking in righteousness, our faith will be solidified and we will become more of perfect individuals. We can also realize darkness that is placed deep in our heart, so that we'd be able to cultivate gentleness and peace; we'd also be able to cultivate the heart of the Lord with which we can love even our enemies.
Psalm 119:71 says, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes." We can humble ourselves through sufferings. And persecutions will go away to the extent that we rely on the Lord to cast away sins and evil and cultivate holiness.
As we're persecuted for the sake of righteousness, our faith grows and we are respected by people around us. We will also receive God's blessings in spirit and body. Moreover, we can take hold of better heavenly dwelling places by force. It is such a great blessing!
By accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior, we gain the right to enter the kingdom of heaven. After that, we begin to realize the evil in our heart and cast it away so that we can become gentle and pure in heart. As we keep on pursuing righteousness, our faith will increase, and in this way, we can go into a better dwelling place in heaven and meet God face to face.
We can become true children of God when we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness; when we cultivate holiness of heart to possess the heart of Jesus Christ; and when we fulfill our God-given duties. Depending on this, our heavenly dwelling place and rewards will differ (John 14:2; 1 Cor. 15:41).
3. Rejoice and Be Glad
Matt. 5:11-12 says, "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Since long ago many men of faith willingly suffered in order to fulfill God's will. Men of God suffer not because they are weak. They knew God's plan would be fulfilled through their being persecuted, and for this reason they didn't try to avoid the persecutions but accepted them with gladness.
The apostle Paul preached the gospel to the Gentiles and laid the foundation of world evangelism. He established many churches in different countries through his 3 missionary trips. However, his steps were not easy at all (2 Cor. 11:23-37).
Acts 23:12 says, "When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul." And yet, Paul was thankful and joyful because he had hope of heaven. He was faithful until death (Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim 4:7-8). The reason why we can rejoice when we're persecuted for the name of the Lord is that great will be heavenly rewards.
There are various kinds of crowns in heaven including the crown of righteousness that Paul mentioned. Houses are made of precious stones. Such amazing rewards and glory await us in heaven. For those who are persecuted solely for the name of the Lord, God will fill all their needs to show that God is with them. As we overcome sufferings in the Lord, the power and authority will be greater. As we communicate with God increasingly more deeply, the power will also become greater.
4. Those Who Partake in Lord's Sufferings
We have to remember one thing here. When a man of God suffers for the Lord, the blessing afterwards will also fall on those who are with the man of God.
When David was on the run during the Absalom's rebellion, those who had truthful hearts knew that David was a man of God, and they were with him even under threats to their lives. When David finally recovered the grace of God, they received the grace together. When a man of God suffers for the name of the Lord, those who are with him with a truthful heart will receive the glory together with Him.
Jesus also told His disciples about the heavenly rewards they would receive later to give them hope. Luke 22:28-30 says, "You are those who have stood by Me in My trials; and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
Therefore, if you are persecuted for the sake of the gospel, I hope you will rejoice and be glad with the hope for the eternal reward in heaven as well as the blessings that will be given to you on this earth.
Dear brothers and sisters, those who live in the word of God have nothing to fear, for God is the source of all blessings. They will eventually experience God's love and blessings. May you receive the eternal and true blessings from God by diligently cultivating the Beatitudes with the hope for the glory that will be revealed to us, I pray this in the name of the Lord!
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