Blessed are those persecuted for Christ

It is been consistent throughout the history that Christians are the most persecuted people groups of all times. Even in an open society like the U.S, Christians are targeted by all other faith groups. The way of persecution ranges from trivial discrimination to death in most of the time. In my country, we are now at the junction of political instability and the rise of anti-christian groups. A Christian should always be ready to glorify God during the time of persecution. Let us remember few points from Scripture regarding this:

1) God is Sovereign over persecution:

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
(Pro 21:1)

If we are ruled by a tyrant who despises God and persecutes Christians, we should remember that even he is under the control of God. There is not one neutron of an atom of this universe which is not under the control of our heavenly Master. God can use even the worst persecutors of Christians for the furtherance of His kingdom. When our Saviour was about to face the most terrible persecution ever faced by any human being, look at His reply for Pilate’s question: "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. (Joh 19:11)”. It was Satan’s plan to destroy the Son of God through persecuting Him but God used that event for His glory and redeemed us thus advancing His kingdom. If you look at Acts 8, when persecution started in Jerusalem, the disciples went to the regions of gentile and started preaching the gospel to advance the kingdom of God. Thus God can use even the darkest hour of Christianity for His glory. Let us remember this verse and trust in His providence during persecution:

All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?"
(Dan 4:35)

2. No servant is greater than the master:

"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. (Mat 10:24)

If this wicked world did not spare the God’s only Son, the Holy one of Israel, how would it leave us alone? Rather, we should remember that it is because of Christ, we are suffering (Mat 10:22). Even our own parents can hate us. But let us remember that Christ is with us when we are persecuted. Let us remember the blessed promise of our Saviour:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Mat 10:29-33)

3.Bless those who curse you:

"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. (Luk 6:27-28)

As Christians, we are called to bless and pray for those who persecute us.  Bible says, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." (Rom 12:19) . Our God is mighty to save us. He will punish the evil doers for each and every tear which they made us shed for the sake of His name. So we should do good to those who do bad to us, “for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." (Rom 12:20)

4. Blessed are those who are persecuted:

"Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!
(Luk 6:22)

It is a blessed state to be hated by the prince of this world, because if God promises something to pass, it will happen. And he would bless us abundantly if we are suffering for the sake of God.

For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
(2Co 4:17)

So as Christians, we should be ready to face persecution for the sake of Christ. This affliction is going to be temporary. No matter how hard it is, no matter how bad the afflicters are, they are all mortal and they are all going to die one day. Let us therefore share with the afflictions of Christ (1The 1:6) and strive through the narrow path so that we would be satisfied infinitely from the infinite blessings of God.