Salty and Shiny - A Study of the BeatitudesIhe Atụ

Blessed Are The Persecuted 

The 2019 World Watch List report gave a comprehensive report on the number of Christians globally who are persecuted for their faith. They reported for the year 2016-2017 alone that 245 million Christians experienced high levels of persecution. Every month, 105 churches were attacked while every day 11 Christians were killed for their faith in World Watch List countries. These numbers don’t tell the full story since they represent real men, women and children for whom their choice to follow Christ is costly and dangerous. We may not experience intense life-threatening persecution but the fact that we follow Christ will invite trouble. The very fact that we are meek, peace-loving, hungry for God, pure in heart and compassionate will cause us to become prime targets for subtle and not-so-subtle persecution at work, school and your neighborhood. Jesus asks us to expect such opposition and to rejoice in it for this was how the prophets of old were treated. Interestingly, He doesn’t mention any immediate earthly rewards; instead, He assures us of eternal rewards. 

As you walk this journey as a disciple of Christ are you prepared to endure persecution and be joyful about it because of what awaits you in heaven?