Title
If It Is To Be May It Be For Christ
Scripture
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
(Matthew 5:11)
Devotional
The key phrase of this text is "For My sake." If we are persecuted for a religious reason such as a moral stance, a claimed right or perceived privilege we are most likely suffering for our own cause. Being persecuted for patriotism, honor or pride of country does not merit the blessing of which our text speaks. Our devotion is to be toward Christ, not to a sense of right or even duty. I am not demeaning these, but to suffer persecution for them is to suffer persecution for them, not necessarily Christ. Take note, I am not seeking persecution and I am thankful that at this time the local Church in America is finding favor. Nevertheless if I am to be persecuted, may it not be for a cause, but for Christ. If I am to suffer persecution may it be because of my relationship to Him and not to some philosophy. Let us remember, the Lord is our righteousness.