Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven – Matthew 5:10
The Lord Jesus tells his disciples in the gospel according to John chapter 15 verse 18 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you”. Even at the beginning of his ministry Jesus knew that he would not be received by the world because his teaching would turn the world upside and challenge the establishment that had been in effect for centuries. To that end Christ wanted to be clear with his disciples that the question of persecution was not if it would happen, but rather when it would happen. In fact persecution is a perquisite for being a follower Christ and as a result our Lord promises that when the persecution and suffering of this world comes upon us we will be blessed as a result.
We are more than conquerors today because we are blessed when our devotion and dedication to Christ causes others to hate, conspire against us and provoke us to do wrong because it is during those instances of persecution and suffering that we get closer to God and in turn get closer to his kingdom. Faint not dearly beloved for Christ has not left us without hope or strength. The Holy Spirit has come to be our comforter. Rejoice when your life of humility and kindness, when your commitment to Christ invokes the fiery darts of the adversary because you have a blessed assurance that if you with stand the persecution you shall be comforted by God.
