I believe that we all may have noticed how it’s the noisy and rebellious ones who attract the attention of Law Enforcement. Conversely, it’s the special kids who seek to be better in behavior than their peers that attract the jealousy and revenge of the school rebels. It’s generally those who sit on the fence and agree with both sides of every argument that go unnoticed and are hardly ever harassed. This philosophy is generally followed in families, churches, workplaces and anywhere we find ourselves with other peer groups. Jesus taught that this could be expected, so let’s look into this today.
DATE POSTED Thursday, 2022-01-20
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL
BY: Ed Algreen
SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 5:11-12
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)
BIBLE TEXT: 11 “How blessed you are when people insult and persecute you and speak all kinds of cruel lies about you because of your love for me! 12 So leap for joy—since your heavenly reward is great. For you are being rejected the same way the prophets were before you.
APPLICATION: This Scripture was also referenced in Ps. 119:85–87. While I love to look at commentaries to help me better understand the Scriptures, I was totally blessed and excited when I read this comment by one on this passage: We are to live in such a way that people have to lie when they speak evil of a believer in Christ! Wow!! If only we could live in such a way that this commentator’s statement would always be true of us. Interesting that Jesus had just listed a number of contributors to a life of blessing (the beatitudes), then He followed that with this eyeopening statement – warning us that we will be hated for looking, sounding and acting like Him. In fact our friends, family and peers will even lie to accuse us falsely of not doing what we preach. This generally happens when one is envious of our lifestyle, or they wish that they could acquire some of the characteristics they see in us. What seems so opposite in this, is that our kids seem to look for the most popular peers to follow after. Most often this leads to serious trouble, as they are coerced into doing things quite different to those things taught in the home by their family. Our natural instincts would lead us to depression when others are mean to us, or show jealousy towards us. But Jesus wanted us to be encouraged when we see these things as a Christian, because it is evidence that our Christ-like behavior is having an impression upon our peers. When this happens, Jesus assured us that it is then that we should be encouraged, and rejoice, because it is a moment when we should realize that it is more than us shining through, because greater is He that is in us, than He that is in the world. And although the world may seem to jeer at folk who seem different than they are, yet we should be reminded that Jesus working through us will save the lost, encourage the downtrodden and lift up the broken-hearted. Friends, if all that our friends see is plain old ‘us’, then there’s nothing to change their heart. Oh that their eyes would be opened to the love and example of Jesus in every word we speak, and every unexpected action that we take, for it is only Jesus who can make a difference in our world.
BLESSING(S) NOTED: Jesus in us and evident through us, can change a sinful and troublesome world. Let’s learn to step aside and let God have His perfect will in and through us, for His glory alone!
PRAYER: Precious Lord, take my hand and lead me through this troubled world. There are many that I will come into contact with who will need a lot more than I could ever do for them – for they need You. Please use me as an instrument through which Your light will shine, and Your love will be evident, to even the unlovable. People are looking for something better than what they find in the attention grabbing actions that they take every day. They want to make a difference in someone’s life, and that’s where You kick in, for it is only You who can change a sinful heart and a life filled with worldly desires and evil. Oh that You will create peace in the hearts of many today as you touch lives and make a difference in them for the Kingdom. May I be one of the first to be impacted positively for You and may I make a difference where there seems to be no hope. AMEN!