#8: Blessed are Those Who are Persecuted for Righteousness

Blessed are those who are persecuted 

because of righteousness, 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Matthew 5:10

Christians are commanded to do the right things even when we could benefit from doing the wrong things (Psalm 15:4). But this beatitude is talking about more than that. It’s talking about being persecuted when we do the right things.

Scripture promises that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). 

In our present culture, doing the right thing often involves unashamedly speaking up for God's truth (Luke 9:26).

If we speak about creation, we may be mocked as "anti-intellectual." If we speak about God’s loving commands against sexual immorality, we may be called "haters." If we speak up for unborn babies, we may be labeled "anti-choice."

How do we cope with these insults and keep doing the right things?

1 Peter 2:19 says we can bear up under this mockery because we “are conscious of God.”

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See Following Christ Will Never Make us Popular and Was Jesus Likable? 

Even though this is considered the final beatitude, I address the second part of this beatitude in Blessed are You When People Insult You.

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