It is a privilege to be persecuted for the cause of Christ

In the Bible we find several verses that explain what happens when we suffer for the cause of Christ, and what He will do with us.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10

We are more than blessed because we suffer for something non-existent, rather for something eternal, and if we die, one day we will be resurrected. With Christ we are more than sure.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10

Let us not be afraid of these things, but rather be joyful in our weaknesses, be strong in our needs.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

2 Timothy 3:12

We must be very clear that by the time we decide to enter the paths of truth and justice, we will already be persecuted by the evil one, and by all the people who are under his yoke. So, put your gaze only on the Lord and believe in Him.

Let’s see what John tells us about the persecution:

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

John 15:18

Christ was hated before us, for bringing the good news of the Father’s gospel, to save us and give us eternal life. That is why he makes a clarification before saying these words, that if the world hates us, we should know that Jesus had already been hated.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 5:44

Matthew throws us very encouraging words so that we don’t look back. In all this that we are going through, instead of hating our enemies it is better to love them, if they curse you, we must bless them, pray for them and ask the Father for His mercy to reach them.

The following verse from Mark encourages us to move forward in the name of Jesus:

And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,

30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Mark 10:29-30

What the previous verses want to tell us is that when we come to Jesus, we have to let go of many things, and even suffer persecution, but the reward we will receive will be great. In His Presence we will be recognized for being faithful before Him. If we die for Him, for Him we will be resurrected, we will be more than blessed in His Name which is Name over every name: Jesus.