Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil
against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for
in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

What does it mean to be persecuted?

Does not mean go out and look for persecution
God says it will come
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm
to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22
Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his master. [a] If
they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my
teaching, they will obey yours also. John 15:20
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this
world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Why is there persecution?

Once youre at the top, the world doesnt know how to respond to people
who are living so close to Jesus. Natural reaction is to ridicule or persecute.
Persecuted for being righteousness Christ like, not the same as
persecuted for your own faults. Righteousness is not based upon anything we do;
the Bible says our righteousness is as filthy rags to God. God says we are
righteous through faith in Christ Jesus. The blood of Christ makes it possible for
us to be made righteous. As we come clean before God confessing our sin, with
the full knowledge that Jesus paid the death penalty in our place, God declares
us righteous.
Righteousness is also the DYNAMIC POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. The Spirit of God
within you empowers you to live a holy life. Righteousness is not living according
to a legalistic set of dos and donts. Righteousness is a life lived under the
control and influence of Gods Spirit living in you. Righteousness is not forced
upon you from the outside, but flows from within you by the dynamic power of
God for the world to see.
Being Christ like is fundamentally different as the world sees it. The
believers nature is different, the way of living life is different, live to
demonstrate a life of righteousness without compromise. Realising that
everything is owed to Christ and therefore live life to seek and imitate Jesus who
died so they might live.

Response to persecution
1 Peter 2:21-23
21 For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For
Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you
should follow in His footsteps.
22 He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips.
23 When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return;
[when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he
trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly.

Romans 12:14-21
14 Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you];
bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others joy], and weep with those who
weep [sharing others grief].
16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded,
exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to
humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and
noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone.
18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [Gods] wrath;
for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.
20 But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so
doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.
21 Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with
good.

The beatitudes: building blocks to be like Jesus. These are the attitudes, qualities
and characteristics which produce in us a Christ-like lifestyle.
The beatitudes: paradoxical statements of joy. Christ offers us a blessed
happiness this world and circumstance cannot take away from us. The beatitudes
bring us into the life of peace. Peace in this life and the life to come.