Sept 29 - Matthew 5:10

Blessed are those who are

persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10

With this verse, the Beatitudes turn. They go from general to prophetic.

The general beatitudes -- though directed to Jesus' followers, of course -- could be followed generally and profitably by anyone, whether they follow Jesus or not.

This beatitude (and the next one) are aimed directly and prophetically, though, at Christ's followers. He's saying that if you follow the path of righteousness (and the truly right thing is testifying to the truth), then you may be -- will be -- persecuted.

Some generations are more favorable to testifying to the truth. And we American Christians have had a long and easy run of being able to generally express our faith. But that season has ended. We're about to join the majority of Christians -- historically and around the world even today -- in having to bold if we're going to stand up for righteousness and truth.

Are you ready to be bold?

Well, it depends on what "blessed are those who" means, doesn't it? Do you expect blessings for integrity and truth or are you more controlled by worry and fear over the potential consequences?

In fact, did you know that perhaps an even better translation for "blessed are those who" is "happy are those who"? Happy? Does happy really go along with persecution?! Indeed, do you really expect that a greater "happiness" comes from standing with integrity and for truth -- even if it brings persecution or gossip or eye-rolling or job loss or jail time -- than by "just going along" with culture?

This begins to be a measure of faith and trust. Is this world the most real thing to you? In that case, then we cave. Or is God's Kingdom the most real thing to you? Then we stand.

If this world is the most real thing to us, then we look for temporary happiness ... which eventually gets trampled upon by violence, abuse, persecution, wars, sickness, and finally death. But when the Kingdom of Heaven becomes our greater Reality, the God, truth, hope, and everlasting peace and joy become a source of eternal happiness and blessing.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to become

a ever-truer disciple,

so that along with

the eleven faithful disciples

and thousands of true saints

throughout history,

I find joy in proclaiming the truth

... even when it means persecution