Read the following passages. Matthew 5:10-12, 44; John 15:18-25; Acts 5:41
What are these passages saying? What do we learn about God and Jesus? According to these verses, what should our attitude be if we suffer or face difficulty as Christians? How are we to respond to God and those who oppose us?
Matthew 5:10-12 says this ”
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John 15: 18-25 says, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 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. 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. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name because they do not know him who sent me. 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. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 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 my Father and me. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
Acts 5:41 says, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Read the following from your bible.
Romans 12:17-21; 1 Peter 2:23; 1 Peter 4:12-16
What do these verses say, and what do we learn about God and Jesus? Do they shed light on what our attitude should be like or how to respond to God or those who respond to us?
As Christians, we need to expect opposition. Being a Christian isn’t consistent with the direction the rest of the world is going. There are many different oppositions we could face.
In Matthew 5:10-12, 44, it says we are blessed if we suffer for the sake of righteousness. If we miss out on something or overlooked by somebody because we follow Jesus, we are blessed. Jesus says to rejoice; our reward will be great. Acts 5:41 says that the disciples rejoiced when they were considered worthy to suffer for His name.
When others hurt you, laugh at you, leave you out, or pass you over because you’re a Christian, The bible gives you actions to follow. Respond to God, trust him to give you peace while fighting for you. He will take care of you and the situation. Next, pray for our prosecutors and enemies. Do good to them. This doesn’t come naturally to us so that you will need the Holy Spirits help.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your strength when we face opposition. I pray that we will respond in love to all and follow how the bible says to respond. I pray that we will press into the Holy Spirit for His power.
In Jesus Name
Amen
