BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PERSECUTED FOR THE SAKE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: makarioi hoi dediogmenoi (RPPMPN) eneken dikaiosunes: (10:23; Psalms 37:12; Mark 10:30; Luke 6:22; 21:12; John 15:20; Acts 5:40; Acts 8:1; Romans 8:35-39; 1 Corinthians 4:9-13; 2 Corinthians 4:8-12,17; Philippians 1:28; 2 Timothy 2:12; 2 Timothy 3:11; James 1:2-5; 1 Peter 3:13,14; 4:12-16; 1 John 3:12; Revelation 2:10)

George F. MacLeod wrote that...

“The greatest criticism of the church today is that no one wants to persecute it because there is nothing very much to persecute it about” (Leadership)

Vance Havner quipped that...

One of our biggest problems today is that most of our church people have never really made up their minds to follow Jesus Christ. They are like Mr. Looking‑both‑ways in Pilgrim's Progress, or like Lot's wife looking back toward Sodom. They are like the man in the Civil War who wore a blue coat and gray trousers, and was shot at from both sides. They are like a donkey between two bales of hay‑undecided as to which to eat. They are like the son in our Lord's parable who said, I go, Sir" (Mt 22:30), and went not. They receive the word with joy, but have no root nor depth and soon fall away. They never really make up their minds, and are like the man who was asked, "Do you have trouble making decisions?" He replied, "Yes and no."

Now that we have described the character of the true believers, the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, we observe next the conflict that these citizens experience in this present world. At first glance, it may seem odd that peacemakers who are poor in spirit, who mourn, who are meek, etc, would be persecuted. What we must remember however, lest we be discouraged when conflict comes, is that we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Paul explains it this way as he prays for believers to be...

joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He delivered us from the domain (right and might) of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (see notes Colossians 1:13; 1:14)

Blessed (see makarios) spiritually prosperous, independent of one's circumstances, including even persecution! Talk about a paradox to the natural mind (cf 1Cor 2:14). (Click for a devotional on "blessed" or "happy")

This is the blessing that we would rather not partake of. It 's the blessing no one really wants. But in some ways it is the most striking beatitude for it is the last, the longest, the only one associated with a command, the only one repeated by Jesus and the only one address directly to the reader (in Mt 5:11 He switches from the third person pronoun "those" to the second person pronoun "you").

Sinclair Ferguson has an interesting comment regarding persecution writing that

Is this the reverse of what we would expect? Men and women who are poor in spirit, mourn for their sin, live lives of gracious meekness, long for God's righteousness, show mercy to others, are pure in heart, and seek peace between God and man – would such people not be welcomed with open arms? After all, these are the very men and women the world needs! The world in which we live assumes that it will welcome Christians with open arms – until the first time it meets the genuine article. Until then, it is ignorant of its real response to the gospel. It assumes that it is well-disposed to Jesus Christ and to God. (Ferguson, Sinclair: Sermon on the Mount :Banner of Truth)

When the beatitudes make up our character, the character of citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, we as true believers will be persecuted for walking the radical, "narrow way" that leads to life, in marked contrast to the broad way that leads to destruction. (cf notes Matthew 7:13; 7:14)

Alexander Maclaren notes that...

antagonism is inevitable between a true Christian and the world. Take the character as it is sketched in verses preceding. Point by point it is alien from the sympathies and habits of irreligious men. The principles are different, the practices are different.

A true Christian ought to be a standing rebuke to the world, an incarnate conscience.

There are but two ways of ending that antagonism: either by bringing the world up to Christian character, or letting Christian character down to the world...

As to practice — a righteous life will not make a man ‘popular.’ And as for ‘opinions’ — earnest religious opinions of any sort are distasteful. Not the profession of them, but the reality of them — especially those which seem in any way new or strange — make the average man angrily intolerant of an earnest Christianity which takes its creed seriously and insists on testing conventional life by it. Indolence, self-complacency, and inborn conservatism join forces in resenting the presence of such inconvenient enthusiasts, who upset everything and want to ‘ turn the world upside down...

The seeds of the persecuting temper are in human nature, and they germinate in the storms which Christianity brings with it. (Matthew 5:10 The Eighth Beatitude)

It is especially important for Christians who are newly born into the faith to grasp the reality of persecution early so that they do not become discouraged or disillusioned when they are unexpectedly "blind-sided" by harsh words, insults, rejection, etc. because they are being "radical" with this "Jesus religion".

Persecuted (1377) (dioko from dío = pursue, prosecute, persecute) means to follow or press hard after, literally to pursue as one does a fleeing enemy. It means to chase, harass, vex and pressure and was used for chasing down criminals. Dioko speaks of an intensity of effort leading to a pursue with earnestness and diligence in order to lay hold of and oppress or harass the "blessed".

Persecuted (with repeated acts of enmity - thoughts, words, deeds) is in the passive voice which means that believers as the subject of the verb will receive the persecution from an external source. The perfect tense is used which indicates a fixed attitude of the persecutors. It won't ever change unless they are changed (from inside out, cf Acts 26:18, 2Cor 5:17). Persecutors of the "sons of God" is their permanent condition. Jesus explained the root problem in John 3 declaring

that the light is come into the world (cf Jesus = John 8:12, His disciples = see note Matthew 5:16), and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil for everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed" (John 3:19-20)

What does Jesus say light does to the deeds of men who love darkness? His light in you and through you dear citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven will expose the evil nature of their deeds! When His "righteousness" lights up your life...look out!...duck!...you will be persecuted by the "light haters". But remember the truth that you are blessed, even when you don't feel very blessed! Feelings can be and often are deceiving in the spiritual realm. Take your stand on the Truth of God's Word (see the passages below, especially if you are currently undergoing suffering for His Name's sake...if you're not now, you probably soon will be if you truly belong to Him!)

The persecution can be twofold involving on one hand a physical pursuing of the persecuted, and/or a personal attack with words as in the form of slander (insults, slander, hatred, spurn your name = cast it out, ostracism).

You might think well naturally the world will persecute me. I'm light. They are darkness (see note Ephesians 5:8) and therefore they hate me because the Light in me exposes their evil deeds (cf John 3:19-21). Of course, that is true but some are caught off guard when they are persecuted by others in the church. Not everyone in the church is a genuine believer (see notes Matthew 7:21; 7:22; 7:23) but are professors. When they encounter a real, radical convert of Christ, they are taken aback and this sets the scene for persecution in one form or another. And although it can be very subtle by religious folk, it is still very painful. Think about who were the most persistent persecutors of our Lord...the religious community, those who knew a lot of Bible knowledge but did not know the Truth Himself. Times may have changed but have men's hearts? (Jer 17:9) Why are we so surprised that the most vicious attacks will come from those who are in the same church? Who were the first persecutors of the new born church in Jerusalem? Was it not the religious folk again. They are the very Jews who Jesus had presented Himself to as King but they would not have Him. I am not calling for you to be inappropriately judgmental but to be wise as serpents and as innocent as doves. One qualifying note is in order. If you are persecuted by the religious folks in your church, do a careful inventory of your heart, your methods and your motives to make sure that the persecution you are experiencing is for the sake of righteousness, for the sake of His Name.

Lloyd-Jones speaks to the persecution of genuine believers by others in the church noting...

How they (are) persecuted by nominal, religious people! That was also the story of the Puritan Fathers. This is the teaching of the Bible, and it has been substantiated by the history of the Church, that the persecution may come, not from the outside but from within. There are ideas of Christianity far removed from the New Testament which are held by many and which cause them to persecute those who are trying in sincerity and truth to follow the Lord Jesus Christ along the narrow way. You may well find it in your own personal experience. I have often been told by converts that they get much more opposition from supposedly Christian people than they do from the man of the world outside, who is often glad to see them changed and wants to know something about it. Formal Christianity is often the greatest enemy of the pure faith. (Lloyd-Jones, D. M. Studies in the Sermon on the Mount)

Alexander Maclaren elaborates on the persecution manifest by...

The curled lip, the civil scorn, the alienation of some whose good opinion we would fain have, or, if we stand in some public position, the poisonous slanders of the press, and the contumacious epithets, are trivial but very real tokens of dislike. We have the assassin’s tongue instead of the assassin’s dagger. But yet such things may call for as much heroism as braving a rack, and the spirit that shoots out the tongue may be as bad as the spirit that yelled, ‘Christianos ad leones.’ (Christians to the lions) (Matthew 5:10 The Eighth Beatitude)

For the sake of (1752) (heneka) is an adverb which means "on account of" or "because of". Why are the "sons of God" harassed, etc? Because of "righteousness", which is ultimately God's righteousness shining forth in and through His "children". It is Christ in you the hope of glory (see note Colossians 1:27). It's like Cain killing Abel for the sake of his righteous sacrifice (Genesis 4). It is like David falsely accused and chased after by King Saul. Or Daniel being thrown in jail for praying to His Lord. And the list goes on and on. If it happened to them, it will happen to you.

It is not suffering for conscience’ sake, for convictions’ sake or because of the ordinary troubles of life, “for My sake.” Note it does not say you will be persecuted because you are obnoxious, offensive, are inappropriately radical or overzealous, etc. Be careful not to bring unnecessary suffering upon yourselves, for this is not pleasing to your Father in heaven and receives no commendation.

Williams translates it...

"for being and doing right" (see also the Amplified Version above)

Jesus does not say because of rude, offensive, obnoxious, crude, law breaking or lazy (including that which sadly can be seen in Christians) behavior. Such behavior deserves the consequence of persecution. In short, this promised blessing does not apply to trouble one brings on themselves. It applies only if their righteous (right in sight of God and man) lifestyle and stand for Jesus generates opposition. To put it another way you might say that persecution is a sign your life is right in the eyes of (God and) the world.

Ray Pritchard (The Blessing No One Wants) has an interesting quote...

Clarence Jordan observed that,

“It is difficult to be indifferent to a wide-awake Christian.”

You can hate them or love them, but you can’t ignore them. Wide-awake Christian confront others with the reality of God. You can’t be neutral in such cases.

“These people must be crowned or crucified, because they are either mighty right or mighty wrong.”

Righteousness (1343) (dikaiosune derived from dike = right, just) is that which conforms to a standard or norm and in Biblical terms the "standard" is God and His perfect, holy character. “Because Kingdom citizens do what God requires,” “because their lives are right before God,” and “because they live as God wants people to”, the lives of God's "children" convicts (or should convict) those who are living in darkness, whether those people belong to no church or are members of a church in "good standing"!

Sinclair Ferguson adds that...

Christians are persecuted for the sake of righteousness because of their loyalty to Christ. Real loyalty to him creates friction in the hearts of those who pay him only lip service. Loyalty arouses their consciences, and leaves them with only two alternatives: follow Christ, or silence him. Often their only way of silencing Christ is by silencing his servants. Persecution, in subtle or less subtle forms, is the result. We have already seen that the gospel produces a lifestyle characterised by righteousness. In practice, that means absolute integrity, whether at home, in the work place, or even at play. But such integrity challenges the moral indifference of the world, not least in our own age. Not to do the things 'everybody does' stirs the world's sleepy conscience. More than that, it irritates it, and causes annoyance and even anger. You would not think that simple honesty could be a dangerous lifestyle, until you put it into practice on the shop floor! For the Christian who is employed by another person, righteousness demands that he give his employer the time and energy for which he is paid. It means moral integrity. But how angry other employees can be when such integrity is displayed! (Ferguson, Sinclair: Sermon on the Mount: Banner of Truth)

Persecution although often surprising to the young saint (cf 1Peter 4:12), is to be expected by Kingdom citizens who don't really belong to this world and such persecution is amply testified to in the New Testament (passages are in bold)...

(Jesus warned) "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for in the same way their fathers used to treat the false prophets. (Luke 6:26) (What does this warning signify? It means that if you have never, ever experienced suffering for the sake of righteousness or His Name's sake, then you need to examine your profession of faith [cf 2Cor 13:5]. If Christ is in you and His beatitudes are now your character, however imperfectly they may be manifest, then you will at some time and to some degree be persecuted for your righteous [not self righteous or judgmental] lifestyle in Christ  which shines light on the dark deeds of the enemies of Christ, cf notes Romans 5:10, Colossians 1:21, Romans 8:7). (Beloved, persecution is the believers birthmark and is sure proof that you are part of the family of God.) Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses this issue writing...

This Beatitude tests our ideas as to what the Christian is. The Christian is like his Lord, and this is what our Lord said about him. 'Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets' (Luke 6:26). And yet is not our idea of what we call the perfect Christian nearly always that he is a nice, popular man who never offends anybody, and is so easy to get on with? But if this Beatitude is true, that is not the real Christian, because the real Christian is a man who is not praised by everybody. They did not praise our Lord, and they will never praise the man who is like Him. 'Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you!' That is what they did to the false prophets; they did not do that to Christ Himself.  So I draw my next deduction. It concerns the natural, unregenerate man, and it is this. The natural mind, as Paul says, 'is enmity against God. (see note Romans 8:7) Though he talks about God, he really hates God (see note Romans 5:10). And when the Son of God came on earth he hated and crucified Him (John 15:8-10). And that is the attitude of the world towards Him now. This leads to the last deduction, which is that the new birth is an absolute necessity before anybody can become a Christian. To be Christian, ultimately, is to be like Christ; and one can never be like Christ without being entirely changed. We must get rid of the old nature that hates Christ and hates righteousness; we need a new nature that will love these things and love Him and thus become like Him. If you try to imitate Christ the world will praise you; if you become Christlike it will hate you. (Lloyd-Jones, D. M. Studies in the Sermon on the Mount) (Bolding added)

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me. (Note that that the gift of faith in Christ Jesus and the gift of suffering come together. When you are persecuted, and you will be when you walk worthy of the gospel, remember... do not be alarmed - the Greek word pictures a frightened horse shying away on the battlefield. Don't be ''startled''! In contrast when we are not startled by their opposition, it is a sure sign that we are saved! You realize that you have a home in heaven. So even if God permits them to take your life, He is simply saying, "It's time to come on Home, My child." This attitude will alarm your opponents, for when they see you standing firm without being startled, it is a sign they are doomed to eternal destruction. Why is this the case? Because if they were being faced with the very persecution or threats they are giving you, they would be "scarred stiff"! In short, you have given your opponents a profound, piercing testimony of the reality of your faith.) (see notes on Philippians 1:27-28, 1:29-30) (See discussion questions Lesson 5)  

"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. "If you were of the world, the world would love 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 slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. (John 15:18-20)

And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  (see note 2 Timothy 3:12) (Note how many will be persecuted. All. No exceptions. Note also the Source of such a persecuted life - in Christ Jesus, i.e., those who abide in the Vine for apart from Him we can do absolutely nothing, Jo 15:5. If we live what we think is "godly" in our own strength, we won't necessarily be persecuted, for Christ's enemies won't see Him and He is the One they hate and seek to denigrate and discredit)

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God (see note 2 Timothy 1:8) (Note how it is one is enabled to not be ashamed and to suffer - the power of God)

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed (the "if" in Greek means "since" and speaks of a certainty not a possibility!) we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:16-18) (What is the mark of a child of God? Suffering with Christ. What is our motivation? future glory which far outweighs the present suffering, cf 2Cor 4:16-18. And so we we see that present suffering has purpose in preparing us for future glory by removing the dross from our lives. See notes 1 Peter 1:6, 1 Peter 1:7).

For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example (hupogrammos = literally to "write under" was used of a copy­book of letters the pupil would look at to write out or trace out their letters) for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. (see notes 1 Peter 2:18; 2:19; 2:20; 2:21; 2:22; 2:23; 2:24;2:25) (What happens when we "die to sin and live to righteousness" no longer "continually straying like sheep"? We will suffer unjustly (which is the kind of suffering which finds favor with God), especially by those with whom we once "strayed like sheep." What are we to do? Bear up, patiently endure, realize we were called to suffer unjustly, follow our Lord's example, don't revile in return, don't utter threats when suffering, refraining because we trust God's righteous judgment will one day be meted out to our persecutors).

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. (see notes 1 Peter 3:14; 3:15; 3:16; 3:17)

 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. (see notes 1 Peter 4:12; 4:13; 4:14; 4:15;4:16; 4:17; 4:18; 4:19)

But you might be saying "I've never experienced persecution like these verses are describing"...Alexander Maclaren addresses this noting that...

The great reason why professing Christians now know so little about persecution is because there is so little real antagonism. ‘If ye were of the world, the world would love his own.’ The Church has leavened the world, but the world has also leavened the Church; and it seems agreed by common consent that there is to be no fanatical goodness of the early primitive pattern. Of course, then, there will be no persecution, where religion goes in silver slippers, and you find Christian men running neck and neck with others, and no man can tell which is which. Then, again, many escape by avoiding plain Christian duty, shutting themselves up in their own little coteries. (ibid)

Be aware of some who might try to diminish the import of Jesus' promise of persecution for Kingdom citizens in this present world. For example, the Expositor's Bible Commentary notes that...

Lachs (pp. 101-3) cannot believe Christians were ever persecuted because of righteousness; so he repoints an alleged underlying Hebrew text to read "because of the Righteous One"-a reference to Jesus. But he underestimates how offensive genuine righteousness, "proper conduct before God" (Przybylski, p. 99), really is (cf. Isa 51:7). (Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary 6-Volume New Testament. Zondervan Publishing)

FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: hoti auton estin (3SPAI) e basileia ton ouranon: (Mt 5:3; 2 Thes 1:4-7; James 1:12)

Theirs is emphatic so it means theirs and theirs alone.

Spurgeon writes that...

They are often evil spoken of, they have sometimes to suffer the spoiling of their goods, many of them have laid down their lives for Christ’s sake, but they are truly blessed, for “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Is is in the present tense which indicates that this is their continual possession. Kingdom citizens have already – here and now – entered into their Lord's Kingdom. Yes, it is a Kingdom that is yet  to be consummated and to be revealed in its final glory. Indeed, we all wait expectantly for

the seventh angel (to sound); and there (to arise) loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever (see note Revelation 11:15)

But to an extent in a very real sense, all the blessings that are expected in the future Kingdom are already being experienced now by citizens of the Kingdom. They will just be higher and purer and more glorious in the ages to come.

The Greek construction indicates once again (as in all of the beatitudes) that this Kingdom belongs to them and to them alone! No usurpers or counterfeits will infiltrate this Kingdom!

Sinclair Ferguson illustrates the point that Christians have the Kingdom of Heaven now, telling the story of Izaak Walton, writer (best known as the author of the seventeenth-century fishing manual, The Compleat Angler) who wrote the following description of one of his great Christian contemporaries, Richard Sibbes...

Of this blest man,
Let this just praise be given:
Heaven was in him
Before he was in heaven.

Observe also that the same blessing kingdom of heaven begins and ends the eight beatitudes and thus signals the beginning and the end of this section, a literary device known as “inclusion”. The Beatitudes are a "package deal" so to speak. Clearly our King intends for the be attitudes to be understood as a unit and not as separate characteristics. In other words, all Kingdom citizens possess all these characteristics, albeit varying in the degree of development in each individual. These characteristics are not ancillary but mandatory. In other words, the eight Beatitudes are the attributes of the child of God, a character which inevitably bring a conflict. But the conflict becomes the very assurance that our salvation is genuine! And so we can rejoice now as well as later in heaven.

Heaven (3772) (ouranos, from oros = hill and so the idea of elevation) is where God lives. The concept was that there were 3 heavens, the first heaven = the atmosphere, the second heaven = outer space and the third heaven = God’s abode (cf 2Co 12:2-4 - Click for more discussion of The Third Heaven). In the present context Jesus is not referring so much to the place (heaven) but the One Who is there and so the term is synonymous with "kingdom of God", a term which would be less acceptable to the Jewish listeners (and readers of Matthew's gospel) as the Jews strictly avoided pronouncing the name "God".

Maclaren speaks of the twofold fulfillment of the blessing of the "kingdom of heaven" writing that...

There is a present recompense. Persecution is the result of a character which brings Christians into the kingdom. Theirs is the kingdom — they are subjects. To them it is given to enter. Persecution makes the present consciousness of the possession of the kingdom more vivid and joyous. It brings the enforced sense of a vocation separate from the hostile world’s. As Thomas Fuller puts it somewhere, in troublous times the Church builds high, just as the men do in cities where there is little room to expand on the ground level.

Persecution brightens and solidifies hope, and thus may become infinitely sweet and blessed. How often it has been given to the martyr, as it was given to Stephen, to see heaven opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, as if risen to His feet to uphold as well as to receive His servant. Paul and Silas made the prison walls ring with their praises, though their backs were livid with wales and stained with blood. And we, in our far smaller trials for Christ’s sake, may have the same more conscious possession of the kingdom and brightened hope of yet fuller possession of it.

There is a future recompense in the perfect kingdom, where men are rewarded according to their capacities. And if the way in which we have met the world’s evil has been right, then that will have made us fit for a fuller possession. In closing we recur to the thought of all these Beatitudes as a chain and the beginning of all as being penitence and faith. Many a poor man, or many a little child, may have a higher place in heaven than some who have died at the stake for their Lord, for not our history, but our character, determines our place there, and all the fulness of the kingdom belongs to every one who with penitent heart comes to God in Christ, and then by slow degrees from that root brings forth first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. (Matthew 5:10 The Eighth Beatitude)

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The Blessing Of Persecution"...Persecution, even martyrdom, has been the cost of discipleship for Christians down through the centuries. In many lands believers still suffer imprisonment and death for their uncompromising devotion to their Savior. Even in nations that have religious freedom, a person with a bold witness for the Lord may become the target of ridicule.

When we experience hardship because of our Christian commitment, no verse of Scripture is more comforting than the beatitude spoken by our Savior, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Mt. 5:10).

At one time in his life, British preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon was so intensely criticized that he became deeply depressed. So his wife printed that beatitude along with the other seven on a large sheet of paper and placed it above their bed. The first thing Spurgeon saw in the morning and the last thing he read at night was our Savior's glorious promise.

Are you discouraged because you are suffering for your Christian testimony? The antidote is this one sustaining promise: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake." --V C Grounds  (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

The consecrated cross I'll bear
Till death shall set me free,
And t