Blessed Are…, Matthew 5:10

Matthew 5:10 (NKJV): Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Persecuted- 1. to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religious or political beliefs, ethnic or racial origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation. 2. to annoy or trouble persistently. (www.dictionary.com)

Persecution is not what we think of it as in the USA. The U.S. doesn’t even make the top 50 according to Open Doors’ World Watch List. Many claim that if someone does not agree or says some hateful things, that they are being persecuted. Sure, it can be a form of persecution but, Our Lord may have been talking about something more.

Think of what the Disciples went through after Jesus ascended into Heaven. They met a lot of opposition. It went as far as that almost all of them were martyred. People tried to oppress what they were teaching.

Today, we see many in different countries who do really meet true persecution. Many of the Islamic countries will go in a Christian home and give them the choice to give up their belief system or be killed.

I am not saying that we are less important than those who do suffer this persecution. What I am saying is that we need to be praying for those who do not have the freedom to worship like we do. If we are able, we should go and visit them and encourage them to continue to move forward with The Faith. Maybe, we should contact one or more ministries, that are truly facing persecution, and become prayer partners for them or whatever The Lord places on our hearts to do for them.

The next time you think you maybe persecuted for your Faith, think about those who suffer much more and lift them in prayer. Also, if you are standing for righteousness sake, don’t give up, continue doing so, no matter what you face.

You can read the previous post on this series at

Blessed Are…, Matthew 5:10

You can read the next post on this series at

Light Of The World, Part 2, Matthew 5:15