# 46 2016 Dev. Mt.5:10. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Matthew 5:10
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Here Jesus changes his teaching; still showing us what is expected but now it involves those who oppose people who follow Jesus. The devotional of a couple of weeks ago #44 addresses what can only be considered as persecution. Not only is the culture around us trying to force their values on true followers of Jesus, they want to stop us from speaking the truth according to God’s Word.
It is interesting to hear recently that our secular culture is most accepting of the Roman Catholic version of conservatism. That is understandable given the fact that the Roman Catholic Church has always maintained her traditional stand on women, sex and marriage while the Protestant community is all over the map in terms of those three important Biblical family issues. Therefore, Protestants who have sold out to secular liberal culture share in the persecution of conservative true followers of Jesus.
The issue is not conservatism or liberalism; it is a Biblical truth issue. Jesus understood that fact, Jesus is the truth and the religious leaders of that day did not see the truth even as Jesus lived and worked in their presence. In the end living and speaking the truth put an end to Jesus’ life on earth. Since that time many millions have been put to death and today people continue to die for living and speaking the truth.
Turning to verse 10 Jesus is telling us that there will be persecution for His followers. It is a serious issue but it is a temporary situation but Gods blessings are forever. If we are persecuted, we are carrying around the righteousness of Jesus and if we continue to hold on to that righteousness through thick and thin we inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. That is a forever situation people! Amen and Amen.
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