STAND

Matthew 5:10-12
   "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake,
     For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
     Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you,
     and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
     Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven
     for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

 Jesus had gone up on the mountain to teach the multitudes.

   "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
    Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
    Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 
    for they shall be filled.                      Matthew 5:3-7

It was clear to all who listened that because of their obedience they would find favor with God.

Then everything changed. It was no longer about rewards as a result of their obedience, but the greatest reward was for being persecuted for His sake. Such great rewards that they could rejoice and be exceedingly glad!

Could it be we show our greatest faith when we are persecuted for Christ? Being persecuted isn't something we do, but something done to us. Persecution comes in so many different ways. It is those who are martyred for their faith, willing to be put to death for their beliefs that we consider persecuted. But what about when we are excluded because of our beliefs, falsely accused because another is trying to dishonor our name, and thus all we stand for in our Christian faith. When they say all kinds of evil against you falsely for Christ's sake; it is then Jesus told the multitudes, "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward." Jesus sees it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly. And He also sees our response.

   Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteous sake
   For theirs is the kingdom of heaven

When we stand for Christ regardless of the cost, could it be Christ stands in applause for our commitment to Him? Great is your reward. This is His promise to us.

Stand. May this be our promise to Him.