one of the major causes of unhappiness is trying to be like everybody else and trying to have everybody like you. there is a myth that says "in order to be happy i must be approved by everybody" but that doesn't work, does it? you just can't please everybody.
now JESUS was a realist and was very honest about the consequences of following HIM. HE said, if you follow me there are many people who aren't going to approve of your decision, they're not going to like it. if you live by these beatitudes we've been looking at you can expect some people to be upset.
so HE says in HE's bringing these beatitudes to a close in matthew 5.10 (ms), you're blessed when your commitment to GOD provokes persecution. the persecution drives you even deeper into GOD's kingdom.
now the statement was so shocking, HE repeats it twice. again, in the next verse, (ms), not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit ME. what it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. you can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! and all heaven applauds. and know that you are in good company. my prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
JESUS gives more space to this one beatitude than any of the other ones. and HE personalizes it: this is the only beatitude that says, you.
now all the other beatitudes deal with the character of the CHRISTian, this one HE just sums it up and deals with the character of the world and how it treats the CHRISTian who has the first seven characteristics in his or her life. HE's saying happy and healthy are those who can handle rejection. HE's saying happy and healthy are those whose beliefs are so strong that they can withstand any attack.
just a thought from the front porch…
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