Matthew 5:1-12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
This is so opposite of what we think. We are blessed when we get persecuted. We are happy when we get persecuted if we know that they are persecuting us for doing right.
God has promised to reward us in Heaven. We know that when they persecute us we are just another in the long line of so many that have gone on before us.
So what should our attitude be when our missionaries are arrested for preaching the gospel in a closed country (where it is illegal to preach the gospel)?
Some would question whether or not we should even be there but I must remind you that we were commanded to take the gospel to the whole world.
Others would err on the side of too much caution. They want to avoid persecution so they make up good “spirit;” excuses for being quiet and hiding their light under a bushel.
Others question whether they should support such a missionary and what do we do when they get kicked out of the country. Which is better, to get kicked out for preaching, or to not preach and get to stay.
What do you think Jesus would have done? Would He have risked death to do the job He was sent to do? Would Paul have tried not to get into trouble or would He have rushed in where few would dare to go?
Jesus said that if we get persecuted for preaching that we are blessed, happy, and rewarded. How can you argue with that?
