Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1 Peter 4:12 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/1pe.4.12.KJV

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/2ti.3.12.KJV

For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 1 Thessalonians 3:4 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/1th.3.4.KJV

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.8.35.KJV

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. John 15:20 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.15.20.KJV

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. John 15:18 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.15.18.KJV

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 1:25 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.1.25.KJV

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.5.20.KJV

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.5.10.KJV

Today’s Devotional:

Persecuted for Doing Right

Written By: Danny Saavedra

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”—Matthew 5:10 (NLT)

I once read this quote: “When you do the right thing, good stuff has a way of happening.” I used to believe this—that if I did right, I’d be rewarded. And while this is true sometimes, over the years I’ve also learned some hard lessons about this mentality.

I’ve learned that my definition of “good” and “right” don’t always align with that of the general population. What we as believers know to be right based on God’s truth is now considered narrow-minded, bigoted, and ignorant. We’ve been told it puts us on the wrong side of history. “They say that what is right is wrong and what is wrong is right” (Isaiah 5:20 TLB) and have “exchanged the truth of God for a lie” (Romans 1:25 NASB). Even worse, I’ve noticed when we don’t agree with the world, we’re ostracized, shamed, and persecuted.

As harsh and disheartening as this may seem, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to us. In fact, Jesus—and His apostles—told us this would happen, that we’d be persecuted for our faith (John 15:18, 20; Romans 8:35; 1 Thessalonians 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12). But don’t let this discourage you, because in addition to letting us know we’d be persecuted for His sake, the Lord Jesus offers this reassurance: “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right” (Matthew 5:10 NLT).

The definition for doing right (dikaiosuné) is “God’s judicial approval.” It reminds me of Romans 8:33–34 (NLT), where the apostle Paul also uses legal jargon to state, “Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Believer, throughout your life you will be persecuted in some capacity for your right standing with God. Some believers will even lose their lives in His name . . . but stand strong and assured in this: “for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:3 NLT). All of us who have received Christ, who have been given right standing with Him, are made heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ through His love. And guess what? “Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39 NLT).

DIG: Have you ever been made to feel bad because of your faith? Have you been ridiculed, mistreated, ostracized, or excluded because you pursue righteousness?

DISCOVER: Why do you believe this happens?

DISPLAY: Spend time praying for believers around the world who are being ridiculed, excluded, alienated, persecuted, and killed for their faith. Pray for the Spirit to provide in them—and us—the same strength, grace, and perseverance shown by Stephen in Acts 7.