Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NIV)
It is very clear that in life we all face opposition at some point in time. This is one of those human challenges that transcend race, gender, education and economic status. However, it is interesting to note that Jesus is talking to His followers and telling them that they are blessed when people come against them because of their relationship with Him. Many people in the world in which we live love sports and competition; I happen to be one of them. The beauty of sport, in its purest sense, is that it challenges all involved to be their very best at all times. Competition pits one against another, it is the one of the most profound ways that we can measure ourselves in a particular area. Without an opponent there is no possibility of victory. Without an opponent we are just practicing and going through the motions.
Allen Iverson took a lot of heat a few years ago because he put practice in a different context than that of a real game. We as Christians must be mindful of this also, practice is for preparation but the game is for victory. It is easy to practice being a Christian as long as we actually do not have to go through anything that will compete for our faith, integrity, character and love for God. It is a different story when we actually have a game, a real-life opponent. In our stages of preparation we can say that “I have faith, I love God, I am a true Christian,” but can and do we say that when we are being persecuted for those same beliefs? It is amazing to me how many Christians only want to practice and never get in the game, but they still want the spoils of victory. It does not happen that way in the Kingdom of God nor in sports and competition either. You do not receive the spoils of the victor without competing.
Jesus tells us that we are blessed when we find ourselves in the game. When we are being persecuted, insulted and having all kinds of evil falsely said against us because of Him. It is at that time that we find ourselves headed for the victor’s circle if we just continue to believe in Him and His word. The reason that this scripture is so important to Christians in today’s world is because too often Christians are willing to forsake the persecution that comes with being a Christian for the approval of people. In other words, there are many who would rather have the approval of people than share in victory with God. I know that it sounds like a no-brainer to choose victory with God but not for everybody. The need for the approval of others is more important to some than walking in victory with God. Walking in victory with God is not easy, but it is a guaranteed win every time. Those same people who you want approval from will be the ones who will persecute you for your faith in God through Jesus Christ, but they are also the ones who will keep you on a losing team for the rest of your life if you allow them to do so.
You have to make the choice to either:
A) Walk in victory with God forever, but face persecution or
B) Walk in defeat forever, but gain the approval of people who do not want the best for you.
If we are going to have the victory and the blessings that Christ is talking about in this passage of scripture we must come to the conclusion that opposition will come in our lives because of our faith in Him, but victory is guaranteed and the only purpose the opponent serves is so that victory can become a reality.
Practice is the time God prepares us, execution is the time to show how well prepared we are and victory is the time God shows the world how well we have mastered His plan.
It is very clear that in life we all face opposition at some point in time. This is one of those human challenges that transcend race, gender, education and economic status. However, it is interesting to note that Jesus is talking to His followers and telling them that they are blessed when people come against them because of their relationship with Him. Many people in the world in which we live love sports and competition; I happen to be one of them. The beauty of sport, in its purest sense, is that it challenges all involved to be their very best at all times. Competition pits one against another, it is the one of the most profound ways that we can measure ourselves in a particular area. Without an opponent there is no possibility of victory. Without an opponent we are just practicing and going through the motions.