The Beatitudes - Pt 9

 

[Jesus said] “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12 ESV).

 

To understand this beatitude we must look at two words. The first is δεδιωγμένοι (dediōgmenoi) translated “persecuted,” which gathers two complementary actions—energetic pursuit and hostile persecution. Whether describing the Pharisee hunting disciples or the believer chasing holiness, the term consistently depicts intense, single-minded movement. The context alone clarifies whether the motion is benevolent or malicious. In this case it is most definitely malicious. The second is δικαιοσύνης (dikaiosynēs) translated righteousness. This word appears ninety-two times in the Greek New Testament. It gathers the rich Old Testament background of “rightness” before God (Hebrew ṣĕdāqâ) and carries it forward into the gospel era where it denotes both the flawless moral integrity of God, and the saving status granted to believers in Christ. It is the Spirit-wrought life that conforms to God’s standards.

 

To understand what it means to be persecuted for righteousness' sake, we turn to Philippians 3:7-11:

 

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:7–11 ESV).

 

In this passage, the apostle Paul provides insights into two key points regarding righteousness. First, Jesus is not talking about having our own righteousness. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that true righteousness has nothing to do with our personal achievements or moral goodness. Despite Paul's impressive religious resume, he considers it all as loss and rubbish compared to the righteousness found in Christ. This challenges us to recognize that our own “righteousness” actually hinders us from attaining true righteousness. And second, highlights that genuine righteousness comes from God through faith in Christ. It's not about our efforts but about receiving what God has promised us. Faith is not a personal act of righteousness but a gift from God, emphasizing our reliance on Him rather than ourselves.

 

There are several practical ways we may express and live out righteousness in our daily lives. Our commitment to God begins with knowing Him and His Word. We see this exemplified in the life of David, who prioritized his relationship with God over religious obligations. Similarly, we should focus on the essence of God's commands rather than rigidly adhering to legalistic interpretations.

 

We also must avoid legalism. We must be wary of falling into the trap of our enemy, where we substitute human traditions for God's commands. Legalism can lead us to judge others based on outward appearances rather than focusing on the heart, as seen in the Pharisees' attitude towards Jesus. Our commitment to righteousness should not be overshadowed by man-made rules and traditions. We must prioritize God's commands and priorities, which center on justice, mercy, and humility, rather than becoming harsh and judgmental.

 

And, of course, true righteousness is accompanied by humility. Instead of elevating ourselves as defenders of God's truth, we should humbly acknowledge our dependence on Him and treat others with love and compassion.

 

Jesus has saved the best for last in His list. The blessing of this attitude in life is that we will “have the kingdom of God.” What a glorious thought. This is more than mere eternal life in heaven, as wonderful as that is. This is standing with the Lord in all of His glorious creation knowing we are given the right to roam it freely in perfection.