Topic: Suffer For Righteousness [Wednesday June 3, 2015]
Text: Matthew 5:10-12
Key Verse: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake” (Matthew 5:11).
Some insurgents, during China’s Boxer Rebellion in 1900, captured 100 students in a mission station and blocked all the gates except one. They placed a cross flat across the gate and ordered the students to file out one after the other. Each was either to trample on the cross underfoot and be set free or refuse to do it and face firing squad.
Terribly frightened, the first seven students trampled on the cross and got freed. But the eighth student, a young girl, refused to commit the sacrilegious act. After praying, she braced up the challenge. Strengthened by her example, the remaining 92 followed her to the firing squad.
From our text, Jesus pointed out that Christians could be persecuted on account of their righteous and godly living. Sometimes, people could order them to worship a false god or compromise their faith through sharp practices. It could be at the work place or during other period. The refusal to yield to any ungodly influence could provoke one form of punishment or the other.
Jesus clearly counsels every believer that persecution might not be out of place. The Scripture also declares that all who desire to live godly in Him will suffer persecution. Following this, the Lord admonished believers to count it a thing of joy to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake, because of the rewards that await them in heaven. A true child of God will take persecutions in his stride. Since our Saviour Himself was persecuted, we must not be under any illusion that we will not suffer persecutions. The values of God’s kingdom are in sharp contrast with earthly dictates; hence, the challenges we suffer. Our comfort and consolation lies in the fact that although weeping may endure for a night, joy will surely come in the resurrection morning.
Bible in One Year: 1 Chronicles 9-11
Thought for The Day: Persecution makes believers stronger in faith.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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