Understanding My Mistake...

[Sparkey]

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.​

But what is this "persecution" that our Lord speaks of?

Persecution, Persecute

Ps 10:2
The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor .

Isa 53:7; Jer 11:19;
brought as a lamb to the slaughter . .

Matt 5:10;
they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake . .

Matt 5:12;
so persecuted they the prophets . .

Matt 5:44;
pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you . .

Matt 13:21; Mark 4:17
persecution ariseth because of the word . .

Matt 23:34; Luke 11:49
persecute them from city to city . .

Luke 6:22
men shall hate you … separate you from their company .

Luke 13:34
Jerusalem, which killest the prophets .

Luke 21:12
lay their hands on you, and persecute you .

John 5:16
therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus .

John 15:20
If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you .

John 16:2
whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service .

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted .

Acts 7:59
they stoned Stephen .

Acts 8:1
great persecution against the church .

Acts 9:4; Acts 22:7; Acts 26:14
Saul, why persecutest thou me . .

Acts 11:19
scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose .

Acts 12:19
commanded that they should be put to death .

Acts 13:50
Jews stirred up … persecution against Paul .

Acts 14:19
having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city .

Rom 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall … persecution .

Rom 12:14
Bless them which persecute you .

1 Cor 4:12
being persecuted , we suffer it .

2 Cor 4:9
Persecuted , but not forsaken .

2 Cor 11:25
Thrice was I beaten with rods .

2 Cor 12:10
take pleasure … in persecutions .

Gal 1:23
he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith .

Gal 4:29
born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit .

Gal 6:12
lest they should suffer persecution for the cross .

2 Thes 1:4
your patience and faith in all your persecutions .

2 Tim 3:12
live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution .

Rev 6:9
souls of them that were slain for the word .

Rev 12:13
was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman .

Matt 10:22;
they who are persecuted for my name’s sake . .

What then? We are to rejoice??? How can this be? We know that the "easy mark" target is painted on our foreheads because of our love for Jesus who is seen as willing to tolerate all manner of evil, and it is by this association that we are thought to be the easier targets. When we find then that the world is treating us in the same manner that it treated our Savior, then we know, with sure knowledge that the Lord sees all things, and our treasure in heaven is great! But may we then choose to remain at peace when there is no peace? Yes, we may, but only as long as we are able - there is no wrong in either choice, to lay down our very lives as other martyrs have done, or to consider our rightful and legal defense as Paul has shown by way of example when he plead his Roman Citizenry against his attackers. The choice is to be prayerfully pondered. There is wisdom to be found in the mouths of many counselors. Proverbs 15:22

 

[Edward]

Hmm, where's a good counselor when you need one? ;)

There's a lot of uplifting words in those scriptures. Paul sure went through a lot. My troubles seem like nothing to his. Nothing compared to what scripture says is coming either. Keeping to the scriptures and praying is helping me to keep it all in proper perspective.