Isn’t there some way that we can skip the persecution part? But then again do we really want to? This devotion looks at what persecution really means and why disciples experience it.
Nuggets
- Disciples know we are just passing through this world on our way to eternal life in heaven.
- We experience persecution because of righteousness, so really we don’t want to escape it.
- Persecution means there is evidence we are followers of Christ.
Devotions in the The Beatitudes Show Us How to be Docile series
I’ve been kind of dreading this devotion. I know nothing about real persecution. I have never really experienced bad persecution.
I know others have. I know it is coming.
Well, I am not an expert in most of what I write about. I write to learn for myself.
Hmmmm. Isn’t that what docility is about — being teachable so we can learn?
Let's Put It into Context
Docile means easily taught. As we grow in our relationship with God, we are blessed.
Blessedness means we have been perfected. For the disciple, perfection is holy, sanctified, and righteous.
Holy means to be set apart, perfect, and pure. Sanctification is the process where our lives are changed, and we made holy. Righteousness is the result of a solid relationship with God. Blackall said that righteousness is “living a life in sincere and perfect obedience to all the laws of God.”
Persecution is “harassment and suffering which people and institutions inflict upon others for being different in their faith, world view, culture, or race. Persecution seeks to intimidate, silence, punish, or even to kill people” (Holman Bible Dictionary).
Blackburn expanded that definition. He defined it as “an abuse of power employed to the harm of another, with something of eagerness, pursuit, and perseverance.”
“… Abuse of power …” is intriguing. I hadn’t really considered that the persecutor was necessarily more powerful than the persecuted. No, I didn’t really think someone less powerful would start the persecution — but I could see someone as powerful starting it.
Persecution happened in the Old Testament. Persecution happened in the New Testament. Persecution happens today. Persecution will happen in the future.
How can I say that? Paul told Timothy that “indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (II Tim. 3: 12 ESV). That means you and me, too. Good reminded us we could be persecuted for any of our Christian virtues.
But Jesus said those who endured persecution will be rewarded. Let’s take a look.
Persecuted Because of Righteousness
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness …” (Mt. 5: 10 CSB)
Clagton wrote that persecution can take many different forms. It includes the following:
1. “Negative persecution which falls short of violence.
2. “Domestic persecution.
3. “Private persecution.
4. “Public persecution” (Clagton).
Now, we aren’t talking about but-words-will-never-hurt-me type of persecution. (We all know words can do a lot of damage.) We are talking about the sticks-and-stones type — and worse.
Jordan gave a list of reasons for the persecution. Part of it is the world in which we live. Wickedness runs rampant in it.
That is because Satan is in control of this world. He has control over man’s minds.
Disciples know we are just passing through this world on our way to eternal life in heaven. Sometimes, though, that doesn’t make it much easier to withstand the persecution.
We are called to live differently from worldview people. That will put us in direct opposition to what is considered norm by possibly the majority of those with whom we come into contact.
Jordan also wrote that we do bring it upon ourselves. Since we are still in sinful bodies, we mess up. That means God has to chastise us.
Thompson picked up on the forms that persecution takes. Those include the following:
1. “Reviling.
2. “Slandering.
3. “Injuring.
4. “Destroying” (Thompson).
Persecution can be directed toward different aspects of our lives. It can be destruction of what we own. Our reputations can be destroyed. It can be against us and our family members — even to the point of death.
Good made an interesting point. He said that persecution could either be by inflicting something or withholding something.
Do we really think we are going to get through this life with no persecution? Jesus didn’t, so, how can we? We can’t.
Horton pointed out the foundational reason for much of the persecution. We experience persecution because of righteousness. It is Satan and his forces battling against God.
Horton said that was a good thing.
Wait. What?
An Inheritance Because of Faithfulness
“… for the kingdom of heaven is theirs” (Mt. 5: 10 CSB)
Yep. Horton said persecution is reason to rejoice. It means there is evidence we are followers of Christ.
It means we are going to inherit the kingdom of heaven because we have been faithful.
Remember, we are being persecuted “… because of righteousness …” (Mt. 5: 10 CSB). It is because we are building solid relationships with God and are imitating Him.
There is enough evidence for worldview people to convict us. I love what Watson said. “Saints carry Christ in their hearts, and the cross on their shoulders.”
Watson made another good point. Do we really expect two heavens?
Oh yes. There are some that believe in the prosperity gospel. You know, become a Christian and you will get material and financial wealth.
Not guaranteed to happen. Oh, God may bless some with wealth.
But we are all going to face persecution. In a previous devotion, we said that was a sign of end times.
If we aren’t going to be persecuted, we wouldn’t need the armor of God.
To read devotions in the Armor of God series, click the appropriate button below.
Look at it this way. Our time here on earth is short. We are going to be persecuted here.
Eternity is for a long, long time. We aren’t going to be persecuted there. We can’t even begin to fathom our reward in heaven.
Hussein reminded us that the reward is going to be a recognition of our service to God.
Making the Connections
Clagton made a really interesting comment. He said, “Let us be thankful that we are happily exempted, in a great measure, from the evil of persecution.” I know sometimes it doesn’t feel like we’ve been exempted.
But we really have. Persecution here on earth isn’t going to hold a candle to the persecution in hell.
And we who have ABCDed are exempt from that.
To read a devotion in the Hell Does Have Fury series, click on the appropriate button below.
The ABCDs of Salvation
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the
Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.A – admit our sins
B – believe His Son Jesus is our Redeemer
C – confess God as Sovereign Lord
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
D – demonstrate that commitment by making any changes needed in our lives to
live the way in which God has called us
The Disciple’s Job Description
Making the Connections to Self-Discipline
I think I told you that, after going through my spiritual tornado, my confidence in myself was shot. It really, really ticked me off. I had long battled low self-esteem, but I had finally gotten to a point where I felt good about myself.
Then I didn’t again.
God just gave me this verse. “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded” (Heb. 10: 35 NIV).
We have to keep our confidence —in ourselves — but more importantly in God. The only way we can do that is self-discipline. We have to bury ourselves in Him.
Searching for and Seeking God
Hearing His Word (Rom. 10: 17).
Reading His Word (Rev. 1: 3).
Praying to Him (Heb. 4: 16).
Studying His Word (Ac. 17: 11).
Meditating on His Word (Ps. 1: 1-2).
Memorizing His Word (Ps. 119: 11).
To read Has God Provided Everything We Need?, click the button below.
How Do We Apply This?
We have to remember this reward is in heaven. It is not here on earth.
Yes, we will face persecution if the worldview people see evidence of our faith in God. Luckily, we won’t be fighting the persecution alone.
God will fight for us. He will go before us, with us, and behind us. Isn’t that a hedge?
So, let’s keep our confidence in God. We want our inheritance.
Father God. You have never promised us an easy road. In fact, You have warned us we would face the exact opposite. He us to meet persecution with Your armor on, protecting us. Help us to keep our confidence in ourselves and in You. We can’t wait to inherit Your kingdom, because that will mean we are with You. Amen.
What do you think?
Leave me a comment below (about this or anything else) or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
If you don’t understand something and would like further clarification, please contact me.
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What do you think?
Leave me a comment below (about this or anything else) or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
If you don’t understand something and would like further clarification, please contact me.
If you have not signed up for the email daily or weekly providing the link to the devotions and the newsletter, do so below.
If God has used this devotion to speak with you, consider sharing it on social media.
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