Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake

Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Continuing in a short study of the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5, associate professor Michael Glodo explains that the suffering that is blessed here is being persecuted for doing the will of our Master. To embrace the promise of this beatitude, the persecution must be for doing His righteous will. Jesus’ phase, synonymous with the “kingdom of God”, is his way of reminding us that God’s righteous rule is not man’s way in this fallen world. Those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake are living out God’s way in the midst of a secular world that does not respect, will ridicule, display dismissiveness, exhibit marginalization, demonstrate exclusion, and will even reject them.

2 Timothy 1:7-10 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Proclaiming the gospel is not “good news” for those conformable in their sin because the Word of God exposes the sinfulness and convicts the sinner. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus tells Believers: “You are the salt of the earth.” The late pastor D. James Kennedy explains that salt is a preservative that leads to purity, decency and morality, but stands against sin’s corruption, pollution and decay. This same salt of gospel truth also stings when rubbed into the open wound of sin. In a humanistic society that is filled with such wounds, bruises and putrefying sores of transgression, unregenerate hearts so not welcome the salt of the gospel. In fact, they are positively offended by it. But, that goes with the territory of being a follower of Jesus Christ. The goal of the gospel of Jesus Christ (that we are lost and hopeless until we find Jesus Christ as Savior of our souls) is not intended to rub the sinner the wrong way, but to get the sinner to turn around; to repent, be redeemed, forgiven and saved ... advancing the kingdom of heaven and decreasing the population of Hell. When the Bible brings deep conviction to the heart, repentance must follow. This salt of the gospel purifies, cures and heals the wounds of sin. But, this salt also seasons our live by giving zest, tang and flavor, while at the same time making you thirsty for the Word of God in Holy Scripture, within the pages of the Bible for the abundant life to the full that God intended for us.  

1 Peter 5:8-11 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Rev. Glodo asserts that Christ’s blessing here helps the disciplined, dedicated and devout disciple in several ways. (1) When we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, we can remain resolute that the kingdom of heaven is ours. (2) It is the source of our joy because in it we are identified with our Lord. (3) It is a signpost guiding us along the path of Jesus through this fallen world. (4) It invites us to take inventory of our Christian life and witness. Lastly, (5) Persecution testifies to our faith in and union with Christ. Union with Christ means a share in all things that are Christ’s, including the rejection, reviling, and the persecution that was His. For if we have a share in Him, ours truly is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessings in Christ