2 Chronicles 25-27 | John 16
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” Matthew 5:11-12
In Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, He taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3-10).
Some of us may think that Jesus is talking about eight different kinds of people, but He is actually talking about a progression in each person who knows what a blessed life—a happy life—is. To begin with recognizing our poverty of spirit, we acknowledge that we do not have what it takes to be the person that God created us to be. Having faced that poverty of spirit, we mourn the truth of who we are by repenting. As we repent, we are comforted by the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who replaces our poverty with all the riches of Jesus Christ. This leads us to become meek, submissive to Christ as Lord and live under His lordship. Then, life on earth makes sense and we inherit the earth.
How do we know when we are living in this manner? Our life gives evidence as we begin to hunger and thirst after righteousness. We have a deepening desire for things that are right and become merciful, compassionate and kind—pure in heart, single-minded. As we live this life, what kind of impact would we have in this world? We become peacemakers, understanding that the source of conflict in the world is not out there but within ourselves as James 4:1 tells us, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” When we release our internal battles and find peace with God, we have a new identity; we are called His children. We would probably imagine as God’s children, being righteous, merciful, pure and peaceful that we would be welcomed with open arms, but the brutal truth is: no. We become persecuted. But being persecuted is not necessarily a bad thing when we are walking in alignment with God.
As tempting as it is to compromise and cut corners to avoid being persecuted, we must realize the only way to the blessed life is to allow the Creator God to be our Lord as He walks alongside us through His Spirit.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, I confess that I am tempted to compromise and cut corners. Help me to live out my faith journey in a manner that pleases You, even if I face persecution for it. Thank You, Lord.