Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10
This world is full of various forms of persecutions for different reasons. Whether we like that fact or not, it is what it is. This part of the beatitudes depicts the only form persecution that a blessing is conceived.
Jesus says that those who are persecuted due to His righteousness at work in their lives are blessed. In order to truly receive this blessing from God, our hearts and minds must have a kingdom perspective. While we may enjoy living in this world and indulging in the things it has to offer us, this is not our home. We are in the world, not of this world.
For Christ followers to truly receive this blessing and word from Jesus, we must keep our perspective focused on His Kingdom; that is where we belong. A Kingdom perspective allows us to see things where Jesus is seated and where we belong eternally, not where we are trying to advance ourselves, and where we want to be temporally.
When we are able to endure this persecution, it is then that we arrive in this kingdom. Kingdom living is full of hope, truth, and the Father’s love. Kingdom living allows us to stand with God in His righteousness in times of persecution and not cower down to the cowardly persecution of this world. The love of Jesus is stronger than the stones of this world.
If you find yourself being persecuted for speaking the truth of God, don’t let your heart be troubled. Remember that Jesus spoke of such things to come. Most importantly, Jesus spoke of the blessing to come for those who would be persecuted for His righteousness sake. Theirs indeed is the kingdom of heaven. Be encouraged.
Nate Staton 