Getting Ready-21 Days of PrayerSample

The greek word used in Matthew 5:10 for righteousness is dikaiosynē. Look it up. It’s a lot of fun to try and say 10 times fast. It literally means: the condition acceptable to God. It doesn’t mean the condition acceptable to society; acceptable to culture; acceptable to your group of friends; or even acceptable to your Pastor. 

Righteousness is what’s acceptable to God. If we’re being honest, living in righteousness is hard. It’s hard because most people around us aren’t living in it. This is why Jesus offers such a strong reward for those that do; the kingdom of heaven. 

Growing up you may have competed in sports to earn a trophy, or did a school project well in order to receive a good grade. Those are great rewards, but nothing pales in comparison to the Kingdom of Heaven. The truth is, living in righteousness means being different. The masses don’t normally celebrate or like different; hence why Jesus inferred that in living this way we would be persecuted. 

I believe to my core this is why the reward is so great when we get persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Jesus himself was persecuted in the most brutal fashion because of his relentless pursuit of righteousness. What Jesus is saying here is when we are willing to face persecution for the very things that he faced here on earth, and offer ourselves up for that persecution, we then get to take part in his glorious resurrection. Romans 6:5 (ESV) says, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” 

Challenge: Pursue righteousness in 2021. Be different. It will cost you, but the reward is out of this world.

Prayer: Father, help me stay focused on the reward of living a life of righteousness. Help me by your spirit to live a life that is acceptable to you. When I face opposition, I will find rest that even your perfect Son was persecuted as well, and I will take heart, because He has overcome the world.