Persecution is Good

“Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake."  (Matthew 5:10)

"...all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)

What is the righteousness that is being persecuted?  It is the TRUTH about God's plan for humanity.

“For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the TRUTH.”  (John 18:37)

It is interesting that Jesus was only persecuted by Jewish religious leaders.  Jewish sinners and publicans loved him.  And the Roman leaders did not get involved until the Jews handed him over to them demanding he be crucified.  Persecution also happened often to Paul, the Apostle to the Nations.

So why did they persecute them?  Because the TRUTH Paul was sharing was unpopular and challenged the traditional religious beliefs about God. But it was the religious leaders who were destroying the word of God with their traditions.

"You are destroying the word of God through your tradition that you have handed down..." (Mark 7:13).  

Nothing has changed.  Religious folks still persecute those who challenge their tradition. Being persecuted or ignored by those folks is a good thing...makes me "happy".

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