By Francis Frangipane
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 5:10, NIV
As I begin this message on persecution, I want to clarify what it is not talking about. If we view the Beatitudes as a progression, it becomes obvious that verse 10 does not apply to someone who has not yet gone through the sequence of discovering your need, repenting, and becoming humble.
Oftentimes, some of the problems we call persecution might be self-inflicted. We can suffer from a general lack of grace, love, wisdom, and even a lack of Jesus. It turns people off when we come in His name without His nature. So, we can get criticized for the lack of Jesus as much as for the fullness of Jesus. And I want to separate those categories.
The Persecuted, Part 1
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)