- 2 Timothy 2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
- James 5:11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
- 1 Peter 2:19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
- 1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
- 1 Peter 4:13–14 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
- The most blessed life is the life in Jesus
- Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Righteousness ? = Conformity to a certain set of expectations, which vary from role to role. Righteousness is fulfillment of the expectations in any relationship, whether with God or other people. [1]
- Thus, righteousness is a state of integrity in relation to God and one’s fellowman, expressing itself in one’s acts and speech[2]
- Various kinds of persecution: 1. Negative persecution which falls short of violence. 2. Domestic persecution. 3. Private persecution. 4. Public persecution [3]
- He does not speak of persecution as such, but of persecution for the sake of righteousness.[4]
- People may suffer for doing evil, but such suffering is punishment, not persecution, and in any case believers are not to suffer that way [5]
- We must expect to be persecuted if we are living as God wants us to live. But we must be sure that our suffering is not due to our own foolishness or disobedience. [6]
References
| ⇧1 | Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Righteousness,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 1860. |
|---|---|
| ⇧2 | Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Righteousness,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 1861. |
| ⇧3 | Joseph S. Exell, The Biblical Illustrator: Matthew (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1952), 58. |
| ⇧4 | Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 101. |
| ⇧5 | Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 101. |
| ⇧6 | Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 22. |