Being COMPLETE ~ Wholesome

June 11, 2010
Matthew 5:10-16
Beatitude #8
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Inspired thots:
1) I see the promise “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” repeated as in the FIRST beatitude. Hmmm. . is there a connection, Lord? And ‘persecuted because of righteousness…” wasn’t it in Beatitude #4 that one should ‘hunger and thirst after righteousness’?

2) So, logically, if one ‘hungers and thirsts after RIGHTEOUSNESS’, they will be ‘PERSECUTED’? but their reward is ‘the KINGDOM of GOD”?

3) Why would people be persecuted for RIGHTeousness? Don’t people desire to be right and do right? Are we to hold the RIGHTEOUS in high esteem? This is a strange world. But Jesus says, ”They will hate you because they hated me first” .. and Jesus did all things RIGHT! (John 15:18-25)

4) So, whatever I lack, I can look to my Heavenly Father who will supply my need, and I should be hunger and thirsting after (Jesus’) righteousness, to fill my life which will open myself to (man’s) persecution, which I must be prepared with the right (be)attitudes!

5) Such a mouthful! Such depressing or scary news! But God is great! I am reminded of my purpose on planet earth in verses 13 and 14. I am the SALT of the earth… I am the LIGHT of the world….

6) I am of use… (salt and light). God is true to His word when the psalmist proclaimed His works are wonderful ~ Psalm 139:14. BUT if I am not put into the proper use, I lose my ‘functionality’ and is good for nothing! I must choose :- to be useful as I have been created for the purpose OR to be good for nothing! And if the LATTER, I do not fare well either; I will be ‘thrown out and trampled’ on anyways.

7) Reminds me of the ram caught in the bushes… it will die anyway. Will it be a glorifying death as a sacrifice to God by Abraham or a pain and slow death if left in the bushes, since it can't save itself? This Sunday School story of Jehovah Jireh has changed my perspective ever since I heard of this version ~ a sacrificial lamb (ram) to the glory of God! Hallelujah! May God enable me…