Standing Out From The Crowd

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:10).

It can be rough standing out from the crowd. Don’t expect to be popular if you follow Jesus’ teachings.

As we finish up the Christian Behavior series, we need to look at how the world will react to people who actually follow Jesus. It’s not uncommon to hear that people only dislike Christians when they get preachy about sexual morality. That’s not actually true, though. People speak highly of Jesus' ethical teachings until someone actually starts following them. Then they can get grumpy real quick.

They’re happy for you to be honest — until they want you to lie. They think it’s great that you love your enemy unless they have the same enemy. They’re glad you don’t steal until you’re the only person not fudging your expense account. When everyone else is gossiping and telling coarse jokes, they want you to take part. When you don’t go along, some will feel judged. You didn’t say a word. You didn’t raise an eyebrow. It’s their own conscience that’s judging them. But they’ll blame you. When they feel judged, they’ll turn on the perceived source of their discomfort.

Jesus predicted this. That’s why he said, “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” (Matt 5:11-12). There will always be people who persecute those who stand for righteousness, even when that stand is done silently. Just be sure they’re persecuting you because of righteousness or because of Jesus. As the saying goes, the gospel is offensive enough, we don’t need to add to the offense. If they hate you because you’re being a jerk, quit being a jerk. If they hate you because you’re following Jesus, “rejoice and be glad.”

The Lord also said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). People were happy to hear Jesus tell odd stories. They were thrilled when he fed them. They got unhappy when he called them to take up their crosses and follow him. They got angry when he taught a righteousness that goes more than skin deep. The way they reacted to him is the way they’ll react to his followers. As Paul said, “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2Tim 3:12).

This doesn’t mean it will be constant. It doesn’t mean you’ll suffer your entire life. It does mean you should expect it and not be surprised or discouraged when it happens.

Christianity isn’t a suicide pact. If you can get out of bad situations, do so. But sometimes you can’t. When that happens:

“Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” (1Pet 4:13-16, 19).

Fear God more than men and continue to do good, for God will remember those who suffer for righteousness’ sake.

Don’t be discouraged. The Christian life is not usually non-stop persecution. But sometimes you will suffer for doing good. This has been true from the beginning. And from the beginning Christians have found that Jesus is worth it all.


Image via Unsplash