Daily Devotions
The Beatitudes: How Our Love for God Sets Us Apart
Matthew 5:10
As Christians, we recognize our own spiritual bankruptcy and turn to God for complete dependence. This humility fills our hearts with mercy and a desire for Him above all else. In our actions, we are motivated by a longing for righteousness and strive to alleviate the effects of sin wherever we see it.
This desire to follow God both in heart and in life is what makes us truly wonderful people, blessed by His grace. The beatitudes outline this journey of spiritual growth and serve as a guide for living a life pleasing to God.
And because this does describe a true Christian something is done to him by the world, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 5:10 NASB).
It is important to remember that while we hate sin, we also love righteousness. This sets us apart from the world and often leads to persecution. The world is in rebellion against a righteous God and those who seek to live their lives seeking Him will often be met with opposition.
It can be difficult to accept that we may face persecution as followers of Christ, but we must remember that Jesus himself faced torture and crucifixion. If we seek to follow in His footsteps and live a life of holiness, we can expect that we may also face challenges and difficulties.
There is no persecution where no holiness is found. Simply, the more God grows you the hotter life will become. As a Christian, if you are not facing persecution to some degree it could be that your walk with God is very small or nonexistent.
However, we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus promises that those who persevere in their faith will be blessed more than they could ever imagine. Holiness is something that is deeply inward, and it is a beautiful and a very spiritual thing.
Let us strive to grow in holiness, even if it means facing persecution, knowing that the reward will be great.
