PERSECUTION IS A COMPLIMENT
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Mathew 5:10
Persecution comes from the word pursue: The root words are, the Hebrew word RADAP and GREEK words DIOKO/DIOGMOS. Both emphasizes the act of pursuing someone or something (read Proverbs 11:10 & Phillipians 3:12). Their meaning can be extended to mean pursuing or pressing on, to oppress or Harras (Acts 1:8). It could also mean to bring judgement or punishment (Luke 11:49).
Jesus in what is commonly known as the Beatitudes told His listeners and by extension Christians that persecution is part of the package. He was reviled, persecuted and crucified, so we will go through the same. That's why He gave His peace to us: 'PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU, My PEACE I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27. 1 Peter 4:1 says, 'Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.
Persecution for the sake of the Gospel according to Jesus Christ is a compliment, in that, if people cannot accept your life of righteousness and for that reason they persecute you, it means they have acknowledged that you are different from them. They can't just accept why you are not like them or everybody else. Righteousness is the ability to do right. So if you charge the correct price, refuse bribe or work for your salary, you become the deviant as everyone is doing it. To make things worse, you preach Christ Jesus to them and talk about the need to be righteous. To revile someone is to assail the person with contemptuous or opprobious language; to address or speak of the person abusively. That is someone maligning you because you preach Christ. They tell you in the face to stop that 'Holier than thou' life: to stop that hypocrisy as it is normal to cheat on your spouse; to divorce; to charge a fee wrongly et cetera. 1 Peter 4:4 says, 'They are surprised you do not join them in their reckless; wild living, and they heap abuse on you.' They cannot accept that you refuse to post or comment on profane post. You refuse to be vulgar in your discourse on social media. This is persecution and it is a recognition of your difference in atittude. It is a medal as all those who walk the path of righteousness won it and finally it is an avenue to be blessed and to be reformed. There are certain qualities such as patience, longsufferingg and LOVE for your enemies that can ONLY be acquired through persecution. You build tolerance and LOVE in the face of aggression. But note, what Peter said in 1 Peter 2:20, 'But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.' So, if you are suffering for your wrong acts or for walking in sin don't say thst is persecution. If you have premarital sex and get pregnant out of wedlock and become a single parent it is not persecution. 1 Peter 3:17 says, 'For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Do you join in the promiscuous life to acquire wealth; do you extort money through bribery or charging a fee for a work you are hired an paid for by the government?
It is a compliment, a medal and opportunity to become patient and to LOVE those who revile and persecute you.
Blessed are you when men shall avoid you because you LIVE and PREACH CHRIST. 1 Peter 4:16 '...IF YOU SUFFER AS CHRISTIAN, DO NOT BE ASHAMED, but PRAISE GOD that YOU BEAR THAT NAME.
Bro Ritchie Edukwesi WOANYA
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
