Mat 5:10; You’re Just Different.

Tuesday May 7, 2024

Idea: People persecute those who differ and Satan inflames their proud jealousy. 

The Greek word translated “persecute” is applied to us, but not in its negative definition. It is like the word passion or fanatic – it can be good or very bad.

Persecute: dioko.

Negatively: To harass someone especially because of beliefs, persecute.

Positively: to move rapidly and decisively toward an objective (hasten, pursue, run).

Pray for your persecutors and bless them (Mat 5:44; Rom 12:14)

Pursue peace, your calling, good, and righteousness (Rom 14:19; Php 3:12, 14; 1Th 5:15; 1Ti 6:11). 

When a believer is persecuted for Christ’s sake, it is Christ who is being persecuted (Act 9:4)

Some reasons for persecution. 

Not following the religion of others. 

Persecuted Jesus for not healing on the Sabbath (Joh 5:16). 

Paul intimates that if he taught circumcision, he wouldn’t be persecuted (Gal 5:11). 

No matter how painful, don’t run from the faith [click in] Remind parable of sower, Mat 13:20-21.

Paul persecuted the churches, mentioned several times by him (Act 9:4; 22:4; 26:11; 1Co 15:9; Gal 1:13; Php 3:6; 1Ti 1:13). 

Jealousy. 

Ishmael persecuted Isaac (Gal 4:29). 

Israel, her persecution has often been the result of jealousy, and continues to be today (Rev 12:13). 

Jealousy of the Christian who has peace, confidence in the face of death, happiness. 

Being different. 

Joh 15:19

People persecute those who are different. The Lord Jesus was not who Israel expected. 

Antisemitism as an element of this. The dispersed Jews were different from the cultures they lived in.

Satan seeks to destroy through deception and perversion all things godly. 

Mat 6:13; 2Co 11:12-15; 1Pe 5:8; Rev 12:13. 

Persecution of the church:

The mature church fits all four: does not follow religion, is different from the world, has a life others want and will be jealous of, and Satan seeks to destroy her. 

You don’t have to seek out persecution. If you are like Christ it will come upon you.

They hated Christ for His unbending truth and authority, and will do the same to us (Joh 15:20). 

We stand firm and continue to do good, pray, and bless our enemies (Eph 6:10-17; 2Co 11:12-15; 1Pe 5:6-11.

Application:

For all that our enemies do, we continue to offer them peace. 

Rom 14:19 - we offer peace and invite them into that they are jealous for and find so different. 

This glorifies God, but is also contains the hope that your enemy will come around and be saved.

No persecution will separate you from the love of Christ (Rom 8:35, diogmos).