Kingdom of Heaven Economy: Persecuted for Righteousness' Sake

Matthew 5:10-12 “10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Inevitable Persecution

Is the Bible wrong?

The truth is, we do not face persecution as we think of the word. We do not have anyone threatening our lives. Nor do we have any real experienced limits because of our Christian faith.

1 Peter 3:13-16 “13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”

1 Peter 4:12-13 “12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

2 Timothy 3:12-13 “12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

Persecution will happen whether we live in North Korea, Mississippi, or California if we live as Christ calls us.

For Righteousness’ Sake

The heart of suffering lies at “righteousness’ sake”

The beatitude does not say “blessed are those who are persecuted for wrongdoings”

We cannot claim the general “persecution” or “suffering” as something that is a result of our Christian faith.

1 Peter 4:14-16 “14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”

The beatitude does not say “blessed are those who are persecuted for going against the culture”

Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has written correctly on this point, “I say that there is a difference between being persecuted for righteousness’ sake and being persecuted for a cause. I know that the two things often become one, and many of the great martyrs and confessors were at one and the same time suffering for righteousness’ sake and for a cause. But it does not follow that the two are always identical.… I think that in the last twenty years there have been men, some of them very well known, who have suffered, and have even been put into prisons and concentration camps, for religion. But they have not been suffering for righteousness’ sake.… This is not the thing about which our Lord is talking.”

Persecution for holding certain opinions is not necessarily for “righteousness’ sake”

ie. being anti-abortion, anti-homosexuality/LGBTQ, pro-Trump, pro-America/freedom

These things often coincide but we cannot replace “Christ” with “cause”

What does “for righteousness’ sake” mean?

It very clearly means being persecuted for being like Jesus. We are to BE like Jesus which will cause us to ACT like Jesus

John 15:19-25 “19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’”

Once again, it all circles around genuine heart righteousness. Do we want the values of Jesus or Jesus Himself? Do we want to blessings of Jesus or Jesus Himself? Do we want the successes, promises, and life Jesus offers or Jesus Himself?

Response to Persecution

Our response will be consistent with our citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven. If we believe and act according to the previous beatitudes then we will REJOICE IN PERSECUTION!

Philippians 4:10-13 “10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Acts 5:41 “41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”

Romans 5:3 “3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,”

2 Corinthians 12:10 “10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Colossians 1:24 “24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,”

James 1:2-4 “2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

1 Peter 4:13 “13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

Matthew 5:12 “12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

May it be our greatest blessing to suffer and be persecuted for the name of Jesus!

We see that in the Kingdom of Heaven Economy we do not act according to our natural response to persecution.