Beatitudes: Blessed are the persecuted

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10

When we are counter cultural, the culture will criticize, because it does not like being exposed. Jesus said we will be persecuted, or criticized, because of him. I think this is because his message is so revolutionary.

He says blessed are the poor in spirit. He says to be humble, to consider others, to be meek and so forth, which is the opposite of what the modern culture says. Our culture glorifies those that are strong, those that make a name for themselves, those that draw attention to themselves. Jesus calls us to be something quiet different than that.

I Peter 2:15 says, "For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people." This is the reason we can rejoice at persecution, because our hope is in God, and we can expect "foolish talk."
Peter goes on to say in verse 21, "But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God."

If we are criticized or persecuted, it should be for actual righteousness, and not because we are indeed wrong or just acting crazy.

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