Blessed are they which are persecuted
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt. 5:10-12).
When Jesus, the Prince of peace, said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword,” what did He mean? (Matt. 10:34). He meant that there is a kind of peace which is a counterfeit for peace, and that He was determined to destroy it. “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” (Jer. 6:14).
There never will be a true blessing to uplift this fallen world for which Satan doesn’t have his fraudulent copy. The devil’s emissaries artfully appear as peacemakers, but in reality they are subtle peace destroyers. Christ is not ignorant of His adversary’s devices and He unsheathes His sword of truth. Thus this world is often thrown into strife and bloodshed as the Author of peace battles to expose the imposture and as His self-imposed vicar works furiously to destroy those whom Christ sends, in the battle for the freedom of our consciences.
The Son of God will not rest until His Father and the truth are cleared of all confusion and misrepresentation, and are correctly understood. When all enemies are put under Christ’s feet, then peace can reign again. This battle wages over every individual who seeks after God. As everyone who comes to God becomes His emissaries for righteousness, so the devil commands his own vast army. Many obey Satan’s dictates out of partial ignorance, being his unsuspecting dupes to harass God’s people. But there are others who have given themselves into his service who act as his agents to inspire hatred and contention in others.
“My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.” (Ps. 120:6,7). And so it has been through the millennia.
Being under Satan’s control, their bitterness inspires the worst passions toward Christ’s workers. It’s been that way from the very beginning. Directed to the serpent in the garden, the Son of God said, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed.” (Gen. 3:15). There would ever be an animosity between the two camps, the one loving their enemies, the other hating and destroying theirs.
It was this issue of implacability that drew so hotly the wrath of the Son of God toward the children of Israel after they had left Egypt. “All the congregation bade stone them [Joshua and Caleb] with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke Me? and how long will it be ere they believe Me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.” And after Moses had changed Christ’s mind toward the people, “The Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. …
“Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in Mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness…” (Num. 22:10-37). One of the things God hates the most is the stubborn rebellion expressed in hatefulness, which demeans and discredits others. Lack of faith in Christ inevitably results in bitter dissatisfaction and in destroying the reputation and influence of those who are appreciating the abundant love and blessing with which the Lord surrounds His creatures.
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Prov. 6:16-19).
It’s the spirit of the accuser that infects these soldiers of Satan. “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.... But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you.” (2Pet. 2:10-13).
They pose as ministers of light and peace when they join the work of the Lord. But they are really ministers of sin which they have not repented of and renounced. Thus, whether they know it or not, they do Satan’s bidding.
Under the deceiver’s delusion that their cause is of God, “the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me.” (Jn. 16:2,3).
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2Tim. 3:12).
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Heb. 12:2,3).
When Jesus, the Prince of peace, said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword,” what did He mean? (Matt. 10:34). He meant that there is a kind of peace which is a counterfeit for peace, and that He was determined to destroy it. “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” (Jer. 6:14).
There never will be a true blessing to uplift this fallen world for which Satan doesn’t have his fraudulent copy. The devil’s emissaries artfully appear as peacemakers, but in reality they are subtle peace destroyers. Christ is not ignorant of His adversary’s devices and He unsheathes His sword of truth. Thus this world is often thrown into strife and bloodshed as the Author of peace battles to expose the imposture and as His self-imposed vicar works furiously to destroy those whom Christ sends, in the battle for the freedom of our consciences.
The Son of God will not rest until His Father and the truth are cleared of all confusion and misrepresentation, and are correctly understood. When all enemies are put under Christ’s feet, then peace can reign again. This battle wages over every individual who seeks after God. As everyone who comes to God becomes His emissaries for righteousness, so the devil commands his own vast army. Many obey Satan’s dictates out of partial ignorance, being his unsuspecting dupes to harass God’s people. But there are others who have given themselves into his service who act as his agents to inspire hatred and contention in others.
“My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.” (Ps. 120:6,7). And so it has been through the millennia.
Being under Satan’s control, their bitterness inspires the worst passions toward Christ’s workers. It’s been that way from the very beginning. Directed to the serpent in the garden, the Son of God said, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed.” (Gen. 3:15). There would ever be an animosity between the two camps, the one loving their enemies, the other hating and destroying theirs.
It was this issue of implacability that drew so hotly the wrath of the Son of God toward the children of Israel after they had left Egypt. “All the congregation bade stone them [Joshua and Caleb] with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke Me? and how long will it be ere they believe Me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.” And after Moses had changed Christ’s mind toward the people, “The Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. …
“Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in Mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness…” (Num. 22:10-37). One of the things God hates the most is the stubborn rebellion expressed in hatefulness, which demeans and discredits others. Lack of faith in Christ inevitably results in bitter dissatisfaction and in destroying the reputation and influence of those who are appreciating the abundant love and blessing with which the Lord surrounds His creatures.
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Prov. 6:16-19).
It’s the spirit of the accuser that infects these soldiers of Satan. “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.... But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you.” (2Pet. 2:10-13).
They pose as ministers of light and peace when they join the work of the Lord. But they are really ministers of sin which they have not repented of and renounced. Thus, whether they know it or not, they do Satan’s bidding.
Under the deceiver’s delusion that their cause is of God, “the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me.” (Jn. 16:2,3).
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2Tim. 3:12).
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Heb. 12:2,3).
posted by David | 7:46 PM
1 Comments:
Yes, and I wonder what's wrong when there is no conflict!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Post a Comment
<< Home