It's safe to say that peace flows from a pure heart. A pure heart's desire is to bring peace to others. How? Let's go back to the beginning; 'It is not something you do, it's who you become when Jesus lives in you.'
Peacemakers are called children of God because when they make peace, they look most like Him.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 NIV
I previously stated that I split the eight Beatitudes into two sets of four. The first four relating to relationship with God; the next, relationship with people. It's become clear to me that the latter four are actually three, since the last Beatitude is experiential.
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." Matthew 5:10-11 NASB
Notice, persecution comes to the Christian not because of who he is, not even because of what he believes, but because of Who he follows. It's your pursuit of Jesus that invites persecution.
What's striking about this is when you actually understand the Beatitudes—when your heart softens toward Jesus and follow His ways—His love for people will flow. It's beautiful to see what that looks like, yet, it brings trouble to the person who emulates Him. Isn't that strange?
Loving God. Weeping over what breaks His heart. Submitting to His will. Desiring righteousness. Having mercy toward others through a refined heart. Promoting peace. Thinking about others more than yourself. Turning the other cheek—Such things bring persecution. Doesn't that say so much about who we are at our core? Power, status, recognition, self righteousness, money; they all undermine Jesus in the human heart. Without Him we are incapable of morality. Look around, it's evident.
For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed. John 3:20 NASB
Darkness is threatened by the Light, therefore, it attacks at the mere presence of it. Light expels darkness, yet darkness tries desperately to expel the light as it vies for the throne.
David Guzik, in his commentary, asks a question I think each of us must ponder, especially when we take notice of the direction the world is heading, "The world persecutes these good people because the values and character expressed in these Beatitudes are so opposite to the world’s manner of thinking. Our persecution may not be much compared to others, but if no one speaks evil of you, are these Beatitudes traits of your life?"
No one knows the heart better than the one who created it. It's only in realizing our need for God does a surrendered heart follow. The world sees that as weakness; the Christian, as strength. If you understand your need for Him, you will follow Him, and so persecution is not far behind.
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you." John 15:18-19 NLT
With all this in mind, can we go through persecution without it triggering hopelessness? Jesus reveals His promise to the persecuted; just as He began with the blessing for the poor in spirt, He ended with the same, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. He continues by asking of us what seems an impossible feat; Rejoice and be glad.
Wait. Rejoice and be glad in persecution?
But how?
There's only one way; by taking your eyes off the present and redirecting them to your future with Him; for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:12 NASB
Surrender. Pursue. Persecution. Rejoice. Reward. Are you ready? Remember, it's impossible without Jesus.
Beloved, After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10
The hope of glory awaits!
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for guiding us through the Beatitudes and for all that You've revealed to us. Thank You for Your promise that when we seek You with all of our hearts, we will find You. Please help us to surrender ourselves to You as You lead us to where You led Paul when he was able to say, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom 8:18). I pray that You strengthen us and supply us the courage we need to walk through whatever we face. Continue to water the seeds You've planted here. You say Your sheep know Your voice, make us good listeners Father. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
(Thank you for joining me on this journey through the Beatitudes. I hope you will stay tuned as I am not sure where God will lead us next. J)
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