Costly Reward

‘In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted’ 2 Tim.3:12.

With the beatitudes, Jesus strikes down two major monsters in our Christian walk. The first monster Jesus struck down is the monster that says you can be saved without being changed. Jesus is saying the power to save you can and will change you. The second monster that Jesus struck down is the monster that ties materialism to blessedness. Jesus never said blessed are they that own mansions in the choicest parts of town for they shall be called the children of God. Neither did Jesus say blessed are they that have twenty cars for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Again Jesus did not say that blessed are you when your bank account is filled with all the currencies in the world for you shall inherit the earth. Jesus said blessed are the meek, the poor in spirit, and the pure in heart. In other words, Jesus is saying there are virtues expected of you as a child of God and it does not include material things. The grace that saves you but is incapable of changing you is questionable.

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “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’ Matt.5:10-12 [NIV]. The blessings here are attached to those who are persecuted for righteousness sake and not foolishness sake. Again the blessings Jesus pronounces here are on those who people falsely say evil things against them and not when people talk about you because of your own laziness or indiscipline. This is the only beatitude that Jesus underscores the reward as being great. Jesus is saying to us today that following Him is going to cost us but guess what we have the assurance of a great reward. Not everyone will like you because you are a follower of Christ. Not everyone in your family, life, or office is going to be excited about your commitment and total devotion to Jesus. Expect to not be a favourite among men and get over it.

Prayer: Father, I ask for the grace to keep my eyes on You and play to the audience of You alone, in Jesus Name.