“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:10

Persecution, even martyrdom, has been the cost of discipleship for Christians down through the centuries. In many lands believers still suffer imprisonment and death for their uncompro- mising devotion to their Savior. Even in nations that have religious freedom, a person with a bold witness for the Lord may become the target of ridicule.

When we experience hardship because of our Christian commitment, no verse of Scripture is more comforting than the beatitude spoken by our Savior, “Blessed are those who are perse- cuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:10).

At one time in his life, British preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon was so intensely criticized that he became deeply depressed. So his wife printed that beatitude along with the other seven on a large sheet of paper and placed it above their bed. The first thing Spurgeon saw in the morning and the last thing he read at night was our Savior’s glorious promise.

Are you discouraged because you are suffering for your Christian testimony? The antidote is this one sustaining promise: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” Persecution develops the Character of God’s people; it separates the Committed from the casual and refines you as pure before God. Some of you are afraid to let people at school know about your faith, some of you are afraid to tell your co-workers that you are a Christian. What will you do if the day does come when someone asks you if you serve Jesus and threatens your life? This is a possible in today’s world not probable. But we need to remember the words of Jesus “whoever acknowledges me before men I will acknowledge before my father in heaven.” Will you come today and declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, The one and only son of God.

The song writer wrote “Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise…..Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.”

If you live for God, you can expect trouble from the world.

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Garment of Praise

Monthly Insights for Spiritual Growth, Encouragement and Personal Victory.

Oluyemisi Onanuga

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

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