REJOICE WHEN YOU ARE PERSECUTED FOR THE FAITH!

14 hours ago
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Tuesday, June 23 Read: Acts 7:54-60

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is

the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:10

When a person admits his sin, cries out to God for mercy, he is pardoned by grace through the Cross. But now he becomes an enemy of the world. He faces opposition. Jesus said that the result of His ministry would be contention and division.

First, opposition comes from a person's own family. In Matthew 10:34- 36, He said, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - a man's enemies will be members of his own household". Many families are divided and parents are separated from children because of their faith in Jesus. Why? Because the one who has accepted Jesus as his savior manifests righteousness before his unrighteous family members.

Secondly, opposition would come from the society. Sometimes there will be persecution even to the point of shedding blood. In I Peter 4:14, Peter said, "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed". Rev. John Schmidt wrote, "When somebody is persecuted for Christ, they don't have halos around them. When people are actually being persecuted they look desperate. But Jesus looks at them and says, "Congratulations, my beloved, because heaven belongs to you and you will have a reward".

Dear friends, let us not become weary when people insult us, persecute us and falsely say all kinds of evil against us because of our faith in Christ. But, by the power of the Holy Spirit let us endure all sufferings patiently.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, give me the strength to face the insults, ridicule and persecutions boldly. Let me never renounce my faith in You nor deny Jesus when I face opposition, but let me rejoice that I will receive a great welcome in heaven by You and all the angels. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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