THE BEATITUDES - Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5

New International Version (NIV)

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

                The persecution of Christians is religious persecution that Christians sometimes undergo as a consequence of professing their faith, both historically and in the current era. In the two thousand years of the Christian faith, about 70 million believers have been killed for their faith, of whom 45.5 million or 65% were in the twentieth century according to "The New Persecuted" ("I Nuovi Perseguitati"). 200 million Christians are vulnerable to persecution in the world, especially in wartorn Iraq & other middle Eastern countries and parts of Asia.

When Jesus was speaking about The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy, he then said in John 16:33 (NIV)

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus said you will have trouble, not you may have trouble or you can have trouble… but you will have.

Even Apostle Paul said, for all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, not may be persecuted or could be persecuted or can be persecuted… but will be persecuted - 

2 Timothy 3:12 ESV Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

What should be our response when we are persecuted?

Love them who persecute you.(Matt 5:44)

Pray for them. (Matt 5:44)

Rejoice and be Glad, as you know the rewards you will get. (Matt 5:12)

Take it as a moment to test your Faith. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Take it you participate in the sufferings of Christ. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Take courage from the word of God.( Romans 8:35-39)

Matthew 5:44 (NIV)

44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 10:22-23 (NIV)

22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 

23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

The Love of God is so strong, that nothing can separate us from his Love. Not even persecution.

Romans 8:35-39 (KJV)

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Suffering for Being a Christian

1 Peter 4:12-13

New International Version (NIV)

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 1:7

New International Version (NIV)

7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

Suffering for Being a Christian.

Have a Blessed Day Ahead.