matt. 5:10-12

today we look at what may be the most taken out of context beatitude of them all in Matthew 5:10-12

¹⁰ "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.     ¹¹ "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

This applies only when you are persecuted for righteous not for being a jerk, and pointing every little sin you see. Now this beatitude does not mean you should reject a compliment if you get your GED or something

This is a bid paradox as well to have joy if you are hated and lied about. we are lied about all the time in the media just like they were in the apostolic age. there were 2 main lies then

1. They said they were cannibals because of the terms of communion with eating flesh and blood Christ

2. They said Christians were incestuous because they gave a holy kiss and called each other brother

One has to wonder are we blessed here in America, because we don't see that kind of persecution here

I think we are persecuted here. I think when you endure insults, rumors, and false charges you are being what I call a small martyr like John the apostle who was the only one not killed for their faith

The main Jesus says we will be blessed when we a persecuted for his sake is look at the company of prophets that puts us in from Abel in genesis to Zechariah in 2 chronicles. So we are in good company when we are persecuted