God’s Blessing

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Matthew 5:10

THE BIBLE OFTEN tells us that if we strive to live for God in this world, obey his truth, and love him above all else, we will be persecuted. The world—as led and controlled by the enemy of God, Satan—hates everything about God and what he stands for. Thus, anyone allied with God will face malice, evil, and sometimes even destruction at the hands of such people.

Then why don’t many of us Christians experience such persecution? Perhaps because we’re not really living like Christians. We’re “stealth Christians,” the kind who never speak up for God, the Bible, Jesus, the church, or others.

Some Christians believe their lives alone should be evidence of their beliefs. But too often their lives just aren’t that noticeable. Exceptions would be those who speak for strict biblical truth on sexual mores, or in totalitarian countries, those who suffer and even die because they call themselves Christians.

If you really want to get out there and shake up your world, there is one way: do right everywhere you go, every chance you get. Help the downtrodden. Give liberally of your time and treasure to good causes. Love others unconditionally. Even if others stand against you, you can know that God will bless you with his Kingdom.