1 - Introduction - Living like a real Christian 9b - Blessed are those who are persecuted _2_ | Page 4

times of trial, alienation and persecution. This world has never been the friend of the
righteous, and one of the first things that we need to do is to not set ourselves up for
failure by ever thinking that it will. Biblical history has proven to us, over and over,
the truth that righteous living will always seem strange to the world, and therefore,
will always run side by side with persecution.
Last week’s devotion revolved around Matthew 5 v 10, which spoke about “those”
who were being persecuted. Verse 11, however, brings us down to earth by talking
about “you” being persecuted. Jesus is, therefore, trying to tell us the whole truth
and not smoke screen the Christian life into thinking that it is something that it is
not.
In our country, it is most unlikely that you will be persecuted to death, but I don’t
think that there is a true believer who does not know what it is to be the victim of
mocking, cynicism and maybe even a low-level of prejudice.

Prayer Thought: If the apostle Paul was closing today’s devotion, he would say,
“Rejoice in your persecution. Do not run from it, do not take it too seriously, but
rejoice in the fact that God’s glory is obviously being seen in you, and this glory will
always offend the world.”

Tuesday
Reading: II Timothy 3 v 10 – 4 v 5
Today’s devotion will revolve around the profile of the persecuted. The question we
persecuted.
ask today is a question that we have intimated at a number of times over the course
of the last few weeks; the question revolves around WHO IS IT THAT IS BEING
PERSECUTED? Matthew 5 clearly states that persecution (in this context) is
reserved for those who are declared “righteous”. The passage above says that all
those who live godly lives will be persecuted.
Might I just say that this is the only legitimate reason for Christians to be
persecuted. If you are being persecuted because you are arrogant, that is your fault.
If you are being persecuted because you think you are a know-all, or come across
with a pompous attitude, then that too is your fault. Jesus is not talking about
persecution that comes to those “Christians” who behave badly.
I would like for you also to know that persecution is inevitable, but it is not
unavoidable.
unavoidable. You can very easily escape the persecution that Jesus talks about. All
you have to do is to approve of all the world’s standards and accept the morals and
ethics of the world. Go ahead and laugh at its jokes, enjoy its entertainment, just