“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”1
When we do righteous deeds, we can get persecuted by those who disagree with us or those who feel threatened by our actions, including those of the same religion as us. In other words, those whose agenda is “disturbed” by our righteous deeds. There are many stories of persecution being conducted by people of differing religions because they feel threatened and, at the same time, there are also “persecutions” of a different nature that people of same religion do to each other.
The story goes that Jesus healead a demon-posessed man and the demons went into a herd of two thousands pigs killing them in the process. Upon knowing what happened, the townspeople drove Jesus away.2 They did not bother celebrating the fact that the demons were driven out from the man.
Jesus told of a story, “Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.'”
“Then the RIGHTEOUS will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’ “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'”3
Has our righteousness had a positive impact so much so that it makes others pay attention? Keep at it, even if we get “persecuted” for righteousness’ sake.
End Notes
- Matthew 5:10, WEB
- Mark 5:1–17 WEB
- Matthew 25:34-40
- The Top Four Reasons Not to Tithe - September 12, 2015
- Of Riches and Desires for Other Things - August 16, 2015
- Who Is Following Whom? - July 18, 2015
Such a beautiful truth: he showed us “to love them anyway.” Thank you for the reminder.
I appreciate the insight that persecution can come from within. That’s certainly (sadly) what I experience far more often. But I hadn’t thought of looking at it like that. Of course, that’s what Jesus experienced more often as well. (And then he said to love them anyway.)