Good morning people who desire to walk in kingdom authority.
Matthew 5:10 NIV Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
We must ensure that we handle the Word of God correctly here.
We are not blessed if we are persecuted. We are blessed if we are persecuted because of righteousness. To omit the last three words is to land in error.
If we stand up for truth, we will be persecuted because of righteousness.
The enemy hates the truth and he is ramping up his efforts to destroy it completely. He is becoming increasingly aggressive, and many of his antics are seen through reasonable people who are all about inclusion and tolerance.
It is time to stand up for truth. But be warned: You will be persecuted.
While this doesn’t sound like an encouraging message, we must remember the teaching of Jesus who promised tribulation and persecution in this world.
I feel the Holy Spirit highlighting the importance of our response when we are persecuted because of righteousness. Our response needs to be as righteous as the initial stand for righteousness that brought the persecution. Please read that last sentence again.
The result to all of this is the kingdom of heaven; the authority of God to rule over in the realm where He has placed us. Paul and Silas walked in kingdom authority in a prison cell, and so can we.
Persecution doesn’t have the final word – the kingdom of heaven does!
Watch a recent sermon from David: “Do Not Be Intimidated”.