Happy Are Those Who Are Persecuted for Rightousness' Sake
“Rejoice and be glad” (Matthew 5:12)
How do you know if the Lord is calling you to step up and suffer for the sake of the faith? Or, when insults, opposition, or threats come your way, how do you know how to respond? Furthermore, when you have to make a decision at work, or in your family, or in the neighborhood that makes you stand out for Christ, how should you tune your heart to be a most faithful witness?
These questions and more are no longer hypothetical. For years we have lived in, what Aaron Renn has called, the Negative World. Whereas Christians in the Positive World were once rewarded for bringing their faith into the world, and then in Neutral World they were largely ignored, now in the Negative World it is a risk to be public about your faith. And more, if you voice opposition to abortion, gay marriage, transgenderism, or legislation supporting these things, it is likely to invite reprisal.
For our own church, we have taken multiple stands for truth in public. And most recently, that has looked like vocally opposing Amendments 1 and 2 and even supporting a lawsuit against the state. And with such serious actions, we know that it can result in all kinds of pushback, which brings me back to the question: When insults and opposition come, how should we respond? And how should we weigh future decisions for engaging matters publicly? In short, how should a Christian count the cost?
Happy Are Those Who Are Persecuted For Righteousness’ Sake
In answer to those questions, let’s consider what the New Testament says about suffering for righteousness’ sake. In Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, our Lord begins with the Beatitudes. These eight axioms all begin with the word “blessed.” But the word for “blessed” carries the idea of happiness or even highly favored. Thus, the Beatitudes are not describing spiritual blessings that are kept in heaven (Eph. 1:3) or covenantal blessings that God gives his spiritual children (Gal. 3:14). Rather, the word speaks of the happiness that disciples have when they walk in communion with God.
And as the Beatitudes build, they move from spiritual poverty (Matt. 5:3–6) to spiritual fullness (Matt. 5:7–10). And in each case, the disciple expresses genuine happiness in the conditions of his life. He is happy in giving mercy; happy in his purity; happy in his peace-making; and happy in his persecution. Indeed, as Jesus finishes his Beatitudes, he says:
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
In context, verses 10–11 give the eighth Beatitude and verse 12 applies it to Jesus’ hearers. (Notice the change in voice from “blessed are those” to “blessed are you.”) And critically, Jesus gives us the first of many teachings about the joy that Christians have when they are persecuted for righteousness sake. Indeed, Christians who face mean looks, harsh words, hard fists, and heavy fines for righteousness’ sake are not just blessed in heaven. They are happy on earth, too.
For lest we think this is an anomaly, let’s see what the rest of the New Testament says. First, we will look at Jesus, the perfect model for us when we face opposition. Then second, we will look at how the Spirit of Christ empowered Christians to rejoice and be glad in their persecutions.
The Joy of Jesus
With Jesus, we might think of him as the man of sorrows whose cross was the greatest tragedy. And of course, there would be some truth in this—but only some. For as we read Hebrews 12:1–2, we discover that Jesus went to the cross for the joy set before him. Likewise, as he carried out his ministry (that included much disappointment and difficulty), Jesus rejoiced to see the Father bring salvation to some and judgment to others (Matt. 11:25–27). But most importantly, Jesus delighted to do the will of the father. It was his joy to do what pleased his Father in heaven. And what pleased the Father? Isaiah 53:10 says that God was pleased to crush the Son.
And so, Jesus in trusting obedience to God did everything with joy. He did not hesitate to go to the cross, but as Luke 9:51 says, he set his face like flint. He was resolute in the death he was going to face. And this is because the joy of the Lord was his strength (Neh. 8:10). As the Holy Spirit empowered Jesus in all his human endeavors, our Lord bore the fruit of the Spirit, including joy. And so should we.
One of the marks of Christian suffering is the joy Christians retain in their trials. Yes, the threats are real, the words are vulgar, the accusations are unjustified, and the enemies are dastardly, if not deadly. But as Jesus ascended the hill of Calvary with joy, so can we. And lest we think that joy, laughter, and even smiles are out of place in our fight against sin, we should see that Spirit-wrought joy is both commonplace and necessary for those fighting the good fight.
The Joy of Spirit-Filled Saints
As soon as the apostles go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit, they begin preaching. And when that happens, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem begin to threaten, arrest, and even kill the Christians in Jerusalem. In fact, until the persecution scatters the church in Acts 8, we see repeated examples of the Apostles preaching in the temple and facing the threats of the Sanhedrin.
During this period, the church endures because they are filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; 4;8, 31). Yet, it is worth asking: What did it look like for the apostles to endure? What marked out their demeanor, their service, and their courage? And in Acts 5:41 we get an answer. After facing the threats of the Sanhedrin, Luke records, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”
Notice the connection between Acts 5:41 and Matthew 5:10–12. The servants of God, who were filled with the Spirit, rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ. Critically, these men did not feel bad for themselves or wonder why they were suffering. Instead, they saw that they were being hated for Christ and they rejoiced in it. And they are not alone.
Later, Paul went to Thessalonica and suffered at the hands of the Jews who followed him (Acts 17). Such opposition caused him to leave quickly, but not without preaching the gospel to a people who believed in the face of such persecution. And so, when he wrote his first letter to the church there, he commended their faith, which predicated on two things—the power of the Holy Spirit and their joy. Notice what he says,
our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
Here, the mark of the Spirit’s power is seen in the joy that the saints had in the face of brutal opposition. So great was their joy in the Holy Spirit, that their testimony even became a model to other churches.
Think about how this might apply today. When we face trials for our faith in Christ, our demeanor speaks volumes to others. If we are downcast, dour, or dejected in our manners or meditations, we undermine the witness that we can and should have. Those who are suffering for Christ’s sake can and should rejoice that they have been chosen by God to stand publicly for their Lord. And then they should pray that their joy in the Lord would continue, so that their joy in the face of opposition might strengthen others. That is what Paul observed in Thessalonica and it is what he commends in them and for us.
A Theology of Joyful Suffering
And Paul does that because of his own theology of suffering. In Philippians 1:29–30, he says, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” Indeed, we are not just granted faith; we are granted conflict. And the one is tied to the other. When we suffer for Christ’s sake, it will take increased faith to rejoice in the Lord. But when we remember that suffering for righteousness’ sake is a gift that God gives his children, it changes the way we think about events. Instead of falling prey to pity or anxiety, it lifts our hearts to stand with Christ and for Christ in whatever place we are called to stand.
For Paul, this was the view of suffering that enabled him to walk joyfully, even as he suffered great opposition. And more than that, he calls all of us to rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 4:4), no matter what we are facing. For truly, the kingdom of God is a matter of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). And if you are not facing opposition for your faith today, it behooves you to delight yourself in the Lord and to fill your heart and mind with biblical truth so that when opposition comes, your joy in the Lord will strength your soul and others.
To bring this brief survey of the New Testament to a close, consider Peter’s first epistle. Writing to a people who were facing harsh insults (not yet persecution), he urges them to look to the model of Christ and to imitate his suffering (1 Pet. 2:18–25). And focusing on the suffering they will face, he tells them to set apart Christ in their hearts and prepare themselves to give an answer for their hope in Christ and to have a good conscience (1 Pet. 3:15). And why, “so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (1 Pet. 3:16).
Indeed, the world’s tactics, along with the devil’s, is to shame Christians. And such shame is one of the greatest ways that God’s saints lose their joy. To be bombarded with slander will destroy anyone’s soul. But when we remember what Christ has done and how he has removed all shame by paying the penalty for our sins, God’s Spirit gives us a joy that cannot be destroyed. There is no devil—human or demonic—that can steal your joy, when your life is hidden in Christ.
And for that reason, Peter offers words that echo Jesus. He says to the saints in 1 Peter 4:12–19,
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
When slander and suffering come our way, Christians are not just joyful by accident. We are commanded to rejoice, and to do so in the power of the Holy Spirit. For truly, this is how we glorify God in the face of attack. We do not glorify God or serve to encourage others if we hang our heads and look like Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh’s constantly gloomy friend. If anything, when the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with joy, we should look like Tigger bounding with energy to serve the Lord. Or at the least, we should take up the posture of Pooh. We should mediate deeply on the honey of God’s word, so that we can maintain a calm and optimistic outlook, even as threats make us exclaim “Oh bother!”
Counting the Cost With a Measuring Stick of Joy
And this brings us back to the beginning and the question of what you should do when you are counting the cost.
When you are faced with decisions about entering the fray and going public for Christ, you need to think carefully, prayerfully, and strategically about what your participation involves. In Paul’s case, the Lord came to him in a vision and commanded him to be an apostle. Paul was not given the choice. He was conscripted into the service of the Lord and he was told that he would suffer.
Similarly, all Christians are put in places and given circumstances that we do not choose. And if you find yourself thrust into a momentary, slanderous attack, you should pray for joy to suffer well. For how you conduct yourself in the moment will either strengthen or weaken those around you. But if there’s anything to learn from Jesus and his early followers, it is this: the Holy Spirit will give you all you need to rejoice in the face of opposition.
Still, not every fight needs to be yours. And this is where counting the cost and considering the joy really comes in. In deciding whether you should be the one to speak up at work or fight the draconian policies of the state, you need to ask: Can you suffer joyfully? Or will such a voluntary fight invite anxiety and bitterness? Can you rejoice and be glad in opposing the ogres of our day? Or would such an extra step invite you toward discouragement, doubt, and disappointment like Eeyore?
How you answer such questions will help you know how to count the cost. And it will also help you know where your heart before the Lord rests. Because the truth is, we do not always get to volunteer for action. Often the Lord thrusts it upon us unawares, and so knowing that we live at a time and in a place that continues to be hostile towards Christ and his followers, we should all delight ourselves in the Lord and his Word, so that when our time to suffer comes, we will rejoice and be glad. And by abiding in that joy, we will be able to encourage others to do the same.
For truly, when God thinks about the schemes of the wicked, he laughs in the heavens (Ps. 2:1-3). And on earth, we can laugh too, even as we take up the serious calling of suffering for righteousness’ sake. As Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
How do you know if the Lord is calling you to step up and suffer for the sake of the faith? Or, when insults, opposition, or threats come your way, how do you know how to respond? Furthermore, when you have to make a decision at work, or in your family, or in the neighborhood that makes you stand out for Christ, how should you tune your heart to be a most faithful witness?
These questions and more are no longer hypothetical. For years we have lived in, what Aaron Renn has called, the Negative World. Whereas Christians in the Positive World were once rewarded for bringing their faith into the world, and then in Neutral World they were largely ignored, now in the Negative World it is a risk to be public about your faith. And more, if you voice opposition to abortion, gay marriage, transgenderism, or legislation supporting these things, it is likely to invite reprisal.
For our own church, we have taken multiple stands for truth in public. And most recently, that has looked like vocally opposing Amendments 1 and 2 and even supporting a lawsuit against the state. And with such serious actions, we know that it can result in all kinds of pushback, which brings me back to the question: When insults and opposition come, how should we respond? And how should we weigh future decisions for engaging matters publicly? In short, how should a Christian count the cost?
Happy Are Those Who Are Persecuted For Righteousness’ Sake
In answer to those questions, let’s consider what the New Testament says about suffering for righteousness’ sake. In Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, our Lord begins with the Beatitudes. These eight axioms all begin with the word “blessed.” But the word for “blessed” carries the idea of happiness or even highly favored. Thus, the Beatitudes are not describing spiritual blessings that are kept in heaven (Eph. 1:3) or covenantal blessings that God gives his spiritual children (Gal. 3:14). Rather, the word speaks of the happiness that disciples have when they walk in communion with God.
And as the Beatitudes build, they move from spiritual poverty (Matt. 5:3–6) to spiritual fullness (Matt. 5:7–10). And in each case, the disciple expresses genuine happiness in the conditions of his life. He is happy in giving mercy; happy in his purity; happy in his peace-making; and happy in his persecution. Indeed, as Jesus finishes his Beatitudes, he says:
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
In context, verses 10–11 give the eighth Beatitude and verse 12 applies it to Jesus’ hearers. (Notice the change in voice from “blessed are those” to “blessed are you.”) And critically, Jesus gives us the first of many teachings about the joy that Christians have when they are persecuted for righteousness sake. Indeed, Christians who face mean looks, harsh words, hard fists, and heavy fines for righteousness’ sake are not just blessed in heaven. They are happy on earth, too.
For lest we think this is an anomaly, let’s see what the rest of the New Testament says. First, we will look at Jesus, the perfect model for us when we face opposition. Then second, we will look at how the Spirit of Christ empowered Christians to rejoice and be glad in their persecutions.
The Joy of Jesus
With Jesus, we might think of him as the man of sorrows whose cross was the greatest tragedy. And of course, there would be some truth in this—but only some. For as we read Hebrews 12:1–2, we discover that Jesus went to the cross for the joy set before him. Likewise, as he carried out his ministry (that included much disappointment and difficulty), Jesus rejoiced to see the Father bring salvation to some and judgment to others (Matt. 11:25–27). But most importantly, Jesus delighted to do the will of the father. It was his joy to do what pleased his Father in heaven. And what pleased the Father? Isaiah 53:10 says that God was pleased to crush the Son.
And so, Jesus in trusting obedience to God did everything with joy. He did not hesitate to go to the cross, but as Luke 9:51 says, he set his face like flint. He was resolute in the death he was going to face. And this is because the joy of the Lord was his strength (Neh. 8:10). As the Holy Spirit empowered Jesus in all his human endeavors, our Lord bore the fruit of the Spirit, including joy. And so should we.
One of the marks of Christian suffering is the joy Christians retain in their trials. Yes, the threats are real, the words are vulgar, the accusations are unjustified, and the enemies are dastardly, if not deadly. But as Jesus ascended the hill of Calvary with joy, so can we. And lest we think that joy, laughter, and even smiles are out of place in our fight against sin, we should see that Spirit-wrought joy is both commonplace and necessary for those fighting the good fight.
The Joy of Spirit-Filled Saints
As soon as the apostles go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit, they begin preaching. And when that happens, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem begin to threaten, arrest, and even kill the Christians in Jerusalem. In fact, until the persecution scatters the church in Acts 8, we see repeated examples of the Apostles preaching in the temple and facing the threats of the Sanhedrin.
During this period, the church endures because they are filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; 4;8, 31). Yet, it is worth asking: What did it look like for the apostles to endure? What marked out their demeanor, their service, and their courage? And in Acts 5:41 we get an answer. After facing the threats of the Sanhedrin, Luke records, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”
Notice the connection between Acts 5:41 and Matthew 5:10–12. The servants of God, who were filled with the Spirit, rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ. Critically, these men did not feel bad for themselves or wonder why they were suffering. Instead, they saw that they were being hated for Christ and they rejoiced in it. And they are not alone.
Later, Paul went to Thessalonica and suffered at the hands of the Jews who followed him (Acts 17). Such opposition caused him to leave quickly, but not without preaching the gospel to a people who believed in the face of such persecution. And so, when he wrote his first letter to the church there, he commended their faith, which predicated on two things—the power of the Holy Spirit and their joy. Notice what he says,
our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
Here, the mark of the Spirit’s power is seen in the joy that the saints had in the face of brutal opposition. So great was their joy in the Holy Spirit, that their testimony even became a model to other churches.
Think about how this might apply today. When we face trials for our faith in Christ, our demeanor speaks volumes to others. If we are downcast, dour, or dejected in our manners or meditations, we undermine the witness that we can and should have. Those who are suffering for Christ’s sake can and should rejoice that they have been chosen by God to stand publicly for their Lord. And then they should pray that their joy in the Lord would continue, so that their joy in the face of opposition might strengthen others. That is what Paul observed in Thessalonica and it is what he commends in them and for us.
A Theology of Joyful Suffering
And Paul does that because of his own theology of suffering. In Philippians 1:29–30, he says, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” Indeed, we are not just granted faith; we are granted conflict. And the one is tied to the other. When we suffer for Christ’s sake, it will take increased faith to rejoice in the Lord. But when we remember that suffering for righteousness’ sake is a gift that God gives his children, it changes the way we think about events. Instead of falling prey to pity or anxiety, it lifts our hearts to stand with Christ and for Christ in whatever place we are called to stand.
For Paul, this was the view of suffering that enabled him to walk joyfully, even as he suffered great opposition. And more than that, he calls all of us to rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 4:4), no matter what we are facing. For truly, the kingdom of God is a matter of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). And if you are not facing opposition for your faith today, it behooves you to delight yourself in the Lord and to fill your heart and mind with biblical truth so that when opposition comes, your joy in the Lord will strength your soul and others.
To bring this brief survey of the New Testament to a close, consider Peter’s first epistle. Writing to a people who were facing harsh insults (not yet persecution), he urges them to look to the model of Christ and to imitate his suffering (1 Pet. 2:18–25). And focusing on the suffering they will face, he tells them to set apart Christ in their hearts and prepare themselves to give an answer for their hope in Christ and to have a good conscience (1 Pet. 3:15). And why, “so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (1 Pet. 3:16).
Indeed, the world’s tactics, along with the devil’s, is to shame Christians. And such shame is one of the greatest ways that God’s saints lose their joy. To be bombarded with slander will destroy anyone’s soul. But when we remember what Christ has done and how he has removed all shame by paying the penalty for our sins, God’s Spirit gives us a joy that cannot be destroyed. There is no devil—human or demonic—that can steal your joy, when your life is hidden in Christ.
And for that reason, Peter offers words that echo Jesus. He says to the saints in 1 Peter 4:12–19,
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
When slander and suffering come our way, Christians are not just joyful by accident. We are commanded to rejoice, and to do so in the power of the Holy Spirit. For truly, this is how we glorify God in the face of attack. We do not glorify God or serve to encourage others if we hang our heads and look like Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh’s constantly gloomy friend. If anything, when the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with joy, we should look like Tigger bounding with energy to serve the Lord. Or at the least, we should take up the posture of Pooh. We should mediate deeply on the honey of God’s word, so that we can maintain a calm and optimistic outlook, even as threats make us exclaim “Oh bother!”
Counting the Cost With a Measuring Stick of Joy
And this brings us back to the beginning and the question of what you should do when you are counting the cost.
When you are faced with decisions about entering the fray and going public for Christ, you need to think carefully, prayerfully, and strategically about what your participation involves. In Paul’s case, the Lord came to him in a vision and commanded him to be an apostle. Paul was not given the choice. He was conscripted into the service of the Lord and he was told that he would suffer.
Similarly, all Christians are put in places and given circumstances that we do not choose. And if you find yourself thrust into a momentary, slanderous attack, you should pray for joy to suffer well. For how you conduct yourself in the moment will either strengthen or weaken those around you. But if there’s anything to learn from Jesus and his early followers, it is this: the Holy Spirit will give you all you need to rejoice in the face of opposition.
Still, not every fight needs to be yours. And this is where counting the cost and considering the joy really comes in. In deciding whether you should be the one to speak up at work or fight the draconian policies of the state, you need to ask: Can you suffer joyfully? Or will such a voluntary fight invite anxiety and bitterness? Can you rejoice and be glad in opposing the ogres of our day? Or would such an extra step invite you toward discouragement, doubt, and disappointment like Eeyore?
How you answer such questions will help you know how to count the cost. And it will also help you know where your heart before the Lord rests. Because the truth is, we do not always get to volunteer for action. Often the Lord thrusts it upon us unawares, and so knowing that we live at a time and in a place that continues to be hostile towards Christ and his followers, we should all delight ourselves in the Lord and his Word, so that when our time to suffer comes, we will rejoice and be glad. And by abiding in that joy, we will be able to encourage others to do the same.
For truly, when God thinks about the schemes of the wicked, he laughs in the heavens (Ps. 2:1-3). And on earth, we can laugh too, even as we take up the serious calling of suffering for righteousness’ sake. As Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
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