08/08/2011 - DO NOT MISS THIS BLESSING

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Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:11-12

Nobody likes to be persecuted or reviled. However, if this is happening in your life, it is a sign that you\’re pleasing God. The sad thing is when the world applauds us because it indicates that we are pleasing their god. The Word declares that all who wish to live a godly life will suffer persecution. So do not be surprised if the fire of ordeal is on your life, because everyone who is accepted into God\’s family will be seasoned with fire (Mark 9:49).
If you have been a victim of harassment and slander, may it not be because you have done something to deserve it; otherwise you will not have the reward of the Lord. When persecution is caused by something wrong that a servant of God has done, the devil has the \”right\” to oppress him. But if it is out of jealousy, suspicion or outright lies on the part of other people, then the saints of the Lord should not worry because no weapon formed against them shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
What matters in the statement made by Jesus is that if we are reviled and persecuted, this has to happen for the sake of Christ. If we have done something wrong and therefore we are persecuted, we cannot expect any reward from God, but rather the condemnation of Heaven. However, members of the Body of Christ must be an example for good, not evil. If, however, people rise up against us because we do the Lord\’s work, as well as by practicing righteousness and good deeds, then we become the target of public lie, as the Master was. When in the midst of such situation, we should celebrate because we please the Lord.
Christ commands us to rejoice and be exceedingly glad in Him. So we should not cry or let the enemy use our mouth to curse our tormentors. Rather, we must fulfill the divine command. If we are sad or if
we let the threats continue to hinder us from doing God\’s work, then we have lost direction. The salt, when it loses its flavor, is good for nothing but to be trampled underfoot by men. (Matthew 5:13)
The day when Jesus will come to put an end to the chaos of injustice established on earth by Adam’s sin will come with no delay. The Son of God will bring the reward to give it to those who loved Him in all circumstances. Wait for that moment as the wise virgins, who waited for the Bridegroom with oil in their lamps (Matthew 25). On the other hand, the foolish virgins were negligent and therefore they could not join the party. May it never occur to you!
Be faithful in fulfilling your mission and do not despair if someone is persecuting you. The devil, who is a liar and a master of temptation, remains steadfast in his ways – and whoever heeds him will undoubtedly lose his salvation. So watch and pray!
In Christ with love,
R. R. Soares