Matthew 5:11, 12

“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 ~ Matthew 5:11, 12


When we stand up for Christ, we stand out for Christ. Some people do not like that. The culture of today is one that says there are many truths and many ways to God. Our culture either believes there is no heaven and hell, or that everyone goes to heaven if they are good. Sin is a taboo word in the world, never to be mentioned. So those of us who follow Christ, when we stand up for what He taught and believed, we do stand out, and may take some reproach and persecution for our belief. I am thankful I live in the country I do, for the persecution and reproach I may be subjected to is very minimal. But, my beliefs are put to the test by our government, and by others who do not believe as Christ’s followers believe. The one thing we must remember is Jesus never said our life would be easy. In fact, He readily prepared us for a life which would probably be more difficult. We may be set against our family, our friends of the past life before we came to believe Christ as our Saviour, and our workplace co-workers. Our world is very anti-Christian, just as it was in the first century. This is why we must stand up for Christ and stand out for Christ. We must live as Christ lived – with love, patience, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Whatever we may suffer, may we be as Christ who suffered greatly for our salvation with humility. May we always pursue what is good, what is Christ-like. May we bear our burden as Christ bore His, praising Him as we carry our cross.

Pastor Julia 

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