Grace Audio Treasures

Matthew 5:10–12, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."To the world, persecution is a curse to be avoided. But to the child of God, it is a badge of honor--a sign that he is walking in the footsteps of his Savior. In this final beatitude, Jesus lifts the eyes of His disciples above the hatred of men, to the eternal blessings which await them. "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness." That is, those who are persecuted for Christ's sake . . . for standing for truth, for living in holiness, for proclaiming the gospel, and for refusing to bow to the world's idols.This beatitude is a necessary conclusion to the others. The one . . . who is poor in spirit, who mourns over sin, who hungers