Persecuted For Righteousness Sake - Part One
When some hear such a phrase, they immediately think of how doing the right thing can result in persecution. “The right thing” in the average way of thinking involves good behavior. While it is true that taking a stand for that which is right can land someone in the persecution zone of experience, it is not what is at the heart of this phrase that Jesus made.
Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The word Righteousness here was translated from the Greek word Dikaiosune, a word built from a root Greek word meaning equity (of Character or act), but more specifically, in this instance, the Greek word Dikaiosune means specifically (Christian) justification: - righteousness.
This position can be further verified by the statement that followed what Jesus said about righteousness. “For theirs is the kingdom of God.”
We should all be very well aware that no one will inherit the kingdom of heaven by their good works. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of this truth. Thus, I aim to encourage New Covenant Good News every time I have the opportunity to do so.
My awareness of the New Covenant Gospel keeps me from assuming that Jesus is saying that we are blessed because we are persecuted for behaving as if behaving well would result in inheriting the kingdom of heaven. That would mean we could earn the right to inherit the kingdom of heaven based on keeping the Law. If works obtain righteousness, that would mean righteousness can be earned. If righteousness can be earned, it is no longer according to grace.
Romans 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
The idea of being able to boast to others of one’s goodness may seem powerful, but it cannot impress God in any way. God is not impressed by what we bring to the table in our own strength. He is impressed by what Jesus did. That’s why Paul said what He did in Ephesians.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
When Jesus spoke that phrase in Matthew 5, people were more likely to be praised for their good works rooted in the Law than to be persecuted because of them. But if they claimed they were justified by faith in Christ, they would have been heavily persecuted and even labeled as blasphemers and heretics. If you remember, Paul, who was called Saul before he encountered Jesus, and was changed. As Saul, he was zealous for the law and persecuted the church. He hunted down Christians to put them in jail and even had some killed, thinking he was doing God a favor. Confidence in your relationship with God based on grace through faith alone can get you persecuted. Jesus’ confidence in His relationship with the Father infuriated the religious leaders and many of the Jews of His day. They did not want Him dead because of His good works. They were offended by His relationship with the Father.
John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”
Jesus was being persecuted for His relationship with God and His claim to be one with God. The sonship relationship was a primary reason for Jesus being persecuted because Jesus only did good works, He never sinned against the Law, and there was nothing there by which they could accuse Him.
John 8:46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?
They had to make up false reports against Him by taking some of His statements out of context and twisting them to say something other than He stated. His claim to be in right relationship with the Father as a son and to be one with the Father and sent by the Father led to the persecution He suffered at the hands of the religious leaders.
Today, the same thing holds for believers in Christ who take a firm, confident stand on their right relationship with God based on nothing other than grace through faith in Christ alone. Real New Covenant truth embraced and believed will often be persecuted by those who mean well and think they are defending the church when, in fact, they are doing more to hurt it by bringing into question the completed work of Christ to reconcile anyone who comes to Him by grace through faith alone in Christ alone. Paul said it best.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Taking a stand on true New Covenant Biblical justification by grace through faith alone and in Christ alone can get a person in trouble in some circles of religious thought and practice. It can even spark some controversy among those who are not religious. Rejoicing in a justification and righteousness that came to you as a gift you could never earn may upset those who would rather think they have reason to boast of their accomplishments. It can result in being persecuted for righteousness’ sake.
