Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Friday, February 6, Matthew 5:11

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (KJV)

I like how "falsely" is added here and that is what I am keying on. I think of the history I've read on the Reformation, when God brought a great awakening again for the people of God to break from the horrible corruption of the church at the time.

For some, the yoke being broken from that wicked church was just a good excuse to commit their own evil, using Christ as their "banner" for nationalism. If people like that were persecuted and reviled, it was for good reason, and it just exacerbated persecution upon the innocent.

Reminds me of 1 Peter 4: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

"If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." (12-16)

When the world is so wickedly unjust, it is easy for us to backlash in kind. But, as we find, our mission is not one of worldly warfare, but spiritual warfare. To overcome evil with good. The Bible teaches that "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." (Romans 12:19b-20)

Coals that burn within the conscience. That open the ears of the sinner to the love of God.

Right after that verse, Paul gives his great discourse on how believers are commanded to "be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment." (Romans 13:1-2)

This was written in the time of Nero, who burned Rome and blamed it on the Christians, resulting in mass torture and execution.

Now I believe in just wars, and God will raise up His avengers. He has done it all along. And we as believers are able to be enforcers of the law within the law, as soldiers, generals, policemen and politicians. We can defend our loved ones from harm, but not incite and be vigilantes.

There are religions who convert by stepping on the necks of those they call "infidels". Many so-called Christians have done it as well. This does nothing for their souls, and truly "converts" no one.

Our reward is not from conquering nations in this life, but conquering souls and hearts as ambassadors of Christ. And there is a spirit world, run by a "snake" who is well aware of this, and would like nothing more than dividing the house of God by making it just like the world he controls.

We can close with how Peter closed: "For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" (4:17-18)

And how do we do it? "Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." (4:19)

And that, brothers and sisters, takes more strength and faith than the greatest acts of worldly soldiers. It takes the power of God.

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

Memory Helps

"Blessed are ye, when men shall
revile you,
and persecute you,
and shall say all manner of evil against you
falsely, for my sake. (KJV)

Three things ending in "you": revile, persecute, say all manner of evil against…

Then two words beginning with "f": Falsely For my sake.

The detailed word picture I used is on my website if you are interested.

Well, I use my dear old "dad" as my memory character for verses 11: (D=1 so DD can only mean 11, vowels fillers).

In this act, my dad has the Hand of God at his back (chapter 5) as he is in a courthouse. Some nasty prosecutor holding a "file" (revile) in a "cute purse" (persecute) that contains a false document that has "EVIL AGAINST YOU" written on it. The courthouse carpeted with our big green wrestling mat, so we have "MATthew 5:11 linked all up to this verse.