Persecuted for the Right Reasons

Jesus said, “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers” (Matthew 5:11). But notice He did not say, “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are self-righteous.” Or, “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are obnoxious.” Or tactless. Or moronic. Or idiotic.

In all honesty, there are some Christians who do some really lame, really odd things. Just because someone is converted doesn’t mean he or she will stop being somewhat obnoxious. I have met some converted, but obnoxious, people. And I have wondered why they have to be needlessly offensive when it comes to sharing their faith. The objective in sharing our faith is not to burn a bridge; it is to build one. The goal is not to win the argument; it is to win the soul. Yet sometimes people will be unnecessarily aggressive. They might even be a little mean. They will misrepresent Christ. And as a result, they will be persecuted.

Then they will say, “Oh, praise God! I am being persecuted for the sake of righteousness.” No, in all reality, they are being persecuted because they are behaving like jerks. As Peter tells us, “Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it . . . ” (1 Peter 3:13–14).

So let’s be sure that if we are being persecuted, it is for the right reasons.