The persecution that results Christ's rewards

Believers, our Saviour says in Matthew 5:10-12:

"10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

But many today, especially leaders, who claim "persecution" are not persecuted for righteousness' sake or for Christ's sake, (bearing in mind that this righteousness is not of works but of faith.) They are persecuted for their own perverse actions, greed, sexual immorality, rebellion towards the government and their lawless deeds; not for Christ's sake or for teaching righteousness by faith.

The persecution that Christ speaks of in the passage above is the kind that Paul went through: Religious leaders of his day falsely accused him of preaching that the people should discard the Law (when what Paul preached was that Christ came to fulfill the Law.) They also falsely accused him of preaching that it is okay to sin because of Grace (just like their equally religious counterparts do today) as it is written in Romans 3:8-

"And why not say, (as some slanderously report and claim that we teach) “Let us do evil so that good may come of it”? Their condemnation [by God] is just"

See the MSG version:

"Some people are actually trying to put such words in our mouths, claiming that we go around saying, “The more evil we do, the more good God does, so let’s just do it!” That’s pure slander, as I’m sure you’ll agree."

This is the only brand of persecution for which there is great reward in heaven: For Christ's sake and for righteousness' sake.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad if you are in the same boat as Paul was. If not, may the Lord open the eyes of the world (that He so loved that He gave His only begotten Son for it) to His grace. He does not desire that any perish but wants us to have everlasting life in Christ! He loves us so.

The Holy Spirit will teach you all things.

Believe Right and you will Live Right.