The Beatitudes - 8

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:10

This verse tells about PERSECUTION vs RIGHTEOUSNESS.

RIGHTEOUSNESS is defined as living according to our moral principles. For us, the Bible teaches what is right and what is wrong, down to the very thoughts we think. It is not just living according to a set of rules but reflects an inner commitment to goodness. As David says:

Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You. - Psalm 119:10

In His law, he meditates day and night. - Psalm 1:2

On the other hand, PERSECUSION. Nobody wants to undergo pain. Our first instinct at any point would be to protect our bodies. For example, if someone brings something close to our eyes, our eyelid automatically closes to protect them. Our body instinctively protects us from many dangers. It tells us when to stop eating, when to rest, and when to drink water. It is an automatic mechanism. Yet, if someone willingly endures persecution, ignoring the countless warnings our body sends, the motivation for such courage must be deeply rooted within. Such loyalty. A loyalty that cannot be broken. Such love for God.

I wonder sometimes if I have such loyalty. The only reason to have such loyalty is by understanding the love of God. We have heard this verse a million times, but do we really realize its meaning?

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

As parents, we try to protect our children at any cost, even at the cost of our own lives. But sending our child to go through agony? Would we have the heart to do that? But God loved the world so much. Do we really understand the magnitude of His love for us? Only if we understand John 3:16 can we have loyalty that can withstand persecution. A loyalty that ignores our body's warnings. A loyalty that sees only His love and goes through anything for HIM.

Do we have that loyalty?"



 

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