In our last post of this series on the Beatitudes, we discussed what it means to be a peacemaker, and why this is so important in our fallen world. As we near the end of our blog series, we turn our focus toward the inevitable result of our following Christ and His righteousness: persecution. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:10). Why does our fellow man persecute us when we pursue God’s will? And how do we prevent ourselves from falling into despondency and despair in the face of such persecution? Let us find out together.
Check back next week for our final post of this series, on the last beatitude!
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If we follow Christ, we will endure persecution
Faithful Christians suffer oppression, persecution, privation, and adversity every day at the hands of the unrighteous enemies of Truth and Goodness. The persecutions may not always be physical, but they will always be spiritual and psychological. They will always be mindless, unjust, violent, and “without cause” (Ps 69.4, Jn 15.25). They will always be painful and the cause of much suffering. For “indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3.12) because evil people detest righteousness. The Truth exposes their evil deeds, so they persecute those who stand up for the Truth. The Only-begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, was Himself crucified by haters of God’s truth. He Himself predicted, “they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).
However, we must take care not to fall victim to a false persecution complex, as the Scriptures warn us (1 Pet 2:19-21; 4:14-16). At times, our suffering can stem from our own sins and weaknesses, rather than from righteousness.
Related: Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?
How should we respond to our persecution?
In His Sermon on the Mount, the Savior pointed out the two paths through life: the wide one and the narrow one. The wide path, which many choose, leads to perdition, while the narrow path leads to life. In other words, it brings salvation (Mt. 7:13-14).
As Christians, we must follow the narrow path. This path demands constant spiritual struggle with sin and with all the obstacles we will meet on the way. Our fallen human nature revolts against this, for it finds our efforts towards purity of body and of heart hard to endure. And the devil, who cannot bear man’s movements towards salvation, revolts along with ill-intentioned men, who take the good life of the believer as a rebuke to themselves.
Our natural reaction to unjust persecution is to defend ourselves. To insist we have done nothing wrong, and indeed to point out the obvious truth that it is the other party (the one unjustly persecuting us) that is evil and has done wrong. However, this is not what the Lord instructs. Instead, He tells us:
…love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your cloak do not withhold your coat as well . . . Love your enemies, and do good, and give, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you . . . (Lk 6.27–38).
As Christ said, “Father, forgive them . . .” (Lk 23:34), while hanging on the Cross; and as the first martyr Stephen prayed for those who stoned him (Acts 7:60), so must we forgive our persecutors.
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven
The Lord rewards those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake and receive that persecution with loving forgiveness with the ultimate blessing: the kingdom of heaven. It is our destiny, then, to endure suffering for His sake, if we live the spiritual life to which the Lord calls each of us. But we do not bear this suffering alone! We take heart from the examples of the Lord, His Mother, His Apostles, and the Saints.
If we hope to inherit the kingdom of heaven, let us then take up the mantle set before us. Let us love Truth and righteousness, love good and pursue it. Let us remain steadfast and firm in our pursuit of virtue, and endure whatever the Lord brings our way with courage, patience, faith, and hope in the help and protection of God.
Keep Reading: The Basis of God’s Judgment