Matthew 5:10-12

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
We are blessed to live in a country where we don't go through the horrors of physical persecution every day. We can worship without fear of being hauled to jail, tortured, or even beaten or killed outside the law by followers of other religions. Christians in places like China and India face those possibilities every day. In many African nations like Somalia, it's the same. The laws either condone persecution, outlaw Christianity, or the authorities are simply too weak to enforce laws that protect various faiths.

However, we are not without persecution in the United States. I would never say that our situation even comes close to comparing to that faced by other believers throughout the world. However, verse 11 of this passage speaks loudly to us. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me."

It is frustrating to see in the media, in movies, on talk shows, and in all manner of public culture that Christians are portrayed as being close-minded, backward, even evil (as in the case of the religious fanatic mother in movies like Carrie...and that's not the only movie where that type of character appears). Or on talk shows, if a Christian speaks out in the audience defending the Bible, Biblical principles, the rights of Christians to show their faith in public, they are often shouted down by the very people who espouse the idea of religious freedom...for everything except Christianity. (And sometimes Judaism is thrown into the "intolerant" mix, as well, by those who advocate loudly for religious freedom.)

I am continually amazed that people will talk about the right to "believe whatever you want", but then turn and visciously attack the Christian for believing that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. And then many will go further and say that the Christian is intolerant for saying so or that they are racist or unloving...or any other of a long list of things that Christians are called unfairly. I think that sort of thing is what verse 11 is talking about. Sadly, I think we can expect to see even more of this and to see such opinions coded into law or legislated into "legal" by judges in the very near future. It seems to be the way the world, and especially our country, is headed, but it is to be expected and not a cause for dismay. In fact, if you read on to verse 12, it is a reason for gladness and rejoicing.

Challenge for Today: The challenge is two-fold. First, find a missionary or other Christian in another country that needs your prayers and lift them up. They are being persecuted in ways that we hope never to be.
Second, when someone takes a stab at you for doing something righteous or holding a belief you know is true and not backing down from it, don't be discouraged...and certainly don't be angry with them...but instead be glad. A tall order, I know...but the appropriate response!