Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me

"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12

These words don't feel like comfort words. They point out the ugliness in the world. They point out situations where relationships are strained because of differing opinions. If you've experienced it, you know that to stand against many issues of the day will have you labeled as a bigot, racist, or as one leader called us, the deplorables.

So how do we stand for godly values in a world where the lines have been blurred?

In Romans 12:2, Paul warns the reader with the following words.

"And be not conformed to this world" but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Paul challenges us not to be shaped by the forces in this world. He acknowledges that we live in a world that tells us we can do whatever we want to do and that we deserve to be happy. In actuality when we live outside of the Biblical boundaries that were given to us by God, we can never obtain happiness.

I like how the Founder and President of Pulse Evangelism, Nick Hall, put it this morning on Facebook; "As leaders, we are meant to be the thermostat, not the thermometer. A thermometer only reflects the temperature of the room. A thermostat changes it."

Hall goes on to say that the world doesn't need more people reacting to culture, instead it needs more people to influence culture.

He says that "leaders" are those who should influence the world. I might add that Jesus calls His followers to be leaders. As Christians, that means you and me.

If you continue reading in Matthew 5:13-14, you will see that Jesus calls us to be salt and light in the world. Salt when it loses its saltiness is "good for nothing."

That begs the question, Church, have we lost our saltiness?

And what about light? Science tells us that physical light cannot transform into darkness. Darkness is only the absence of light.

Jesus warns in Luke 11:35, "See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness."

This is my final post from the Beatitudes. It's one that I have been thinking about for a long time. How do I stand for Biblical Truth when it seems to be against the majority? How do resist being offended when others don't agree with me? Can I make a difference for the Kingdom?

I have been humbled as I've tried to live this out. Sometimes I feel shutdown. Silenced. Dismissed. I'm sad for those who have believed some of the lies that descend from the enemy of the air. Babies are aborted. Bodies are mutilated. Hearts are broken. Confusion becomes a way of life. They may not realize that there is another way. The narrow road.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is that gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14

Folks may dismiss me. They may call me names. They may not understand that my heart doesn't mean to condemn-I'm just searching for ways to stand on Biblical Truth. I haven't always spoken correctly. I'm part of the group mentioned in Romans 3:23. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

But I praise God! For the next verse says, "and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

My friends, as Christians we answer to One. Not to the world. But to the One who has redeemed us. I pray that you too, will search His heart as you follow Jesus. Let's be ones that bring hope, light and saltiness to this broken world.

And let's offer grace to each other when we "do it wrong". For we ARE justified freely through Jesus. Let's walk in His grace!

Dear Jesus, thank you for the opportunity to live in such a pivotal time. For such a time as this, You have placed us in this world. The call is clear. We are to be set apart. Holy because You are holy. Help us to live as ones who have hope, who carry light. Let us not conform to the ways of this world but let us be transformed, carrying your light. You've warned us about persecution and you've promised to never leave us. You even promise us heavenly rewards. Help us today to walk in whatever You have for each of us. Let us be salt and light. In your precious name, we pray. Amen.