When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
“You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are and your place in God’s family.
“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
“Not only that – count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort, and they are uncomfortable.
You can be glad when that happens – give a cheer, even! – for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Matthew 5: 1-2, 8-13 The Message
“Not only that – count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort, and they are uncomfortable.”
Count yourself blessed every time people:
1—put you down
2—throw you out
3—speak lies about you
Why are these people doing this? They are doing it to discredit God.
These actions point to one thing—the uncomfortable truth.
These people are under the control of the god of this world—satan, who uses them to attack you to discredit God.
Your righteous life points to the truth that God is right and satan is wrong, and it gnaws at him every time it happens.
Imagine how satan feels when this happens millions of times around the world. It is no wonder he sends such people to attack you.
However, verbal or physical attacks are sometimes not enough, so he interjects a spiritual component—demons.
Have you ever had the hair stand up on the back of your neck and not know why? It was a spiritual attack from a demonic force.
Your righteous life is too close for comfort, and satan must do something to feel comfortable, so demons are sent to disrupt your life.
This can get very deep, which is not the intent of this post, only to point out why persecution happens to Christ-followers living right-standing lives.
When confronted with demonic forces, Jesus:
1—quoted the Word of God
You must know it before you can quote it. This means that a regular Bible study plan is vital.
2—he rebuked the spirit
Jesus chose to speak life-giving words to combat the demonic encounter. He did not cower in fear because he knew his place in the kingdom of God.
Jesus continued his teaching
“You can be glad when that happens – give a cheer, even! – for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.”
1—give a cheer
Your manner of living brings joy to the Godhead. Your reaction to the persecution intended to defeat you got under satan’s skin and brought a smile to Jesus’ face.
2—you are in good company
Be encouraged to know that persecution is not unique to you. All Christ-followers living righteous lives experience the same persecution.
3—this kind of trouble
I sense a bit of humor in this statement. Is Jesus saying, tongue and cheek, that such persecution is being in trouble? Perhaps so, and if that is the worse that happens, you are on solid footing.
A close personal relationship with the Godhead is a journey. I invite you to follow along. I hope that as you learn, you can pass it along so that I (and others) might learn. As I learn, I will pass it along so you, too, can learn.