God Blesses Those Who Are Put Down Because of Him
By Rick Warren

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way” (Matthew 5:11-12 NLT).

Taking a stand for God won’t just impact you and those you care about in this life. It’ll have an eternal impact.

When you’re afraid to speak up for God in your everyday life, that’s natural and normal. But it’s also temporary. That fear will just stay with you for a few moments.

The benefits to courageously speaking out for God will stay with you for trillions and trillions and trillions of years.

Jesus says this in the Sermon on the Mount: “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way” (Matthew 5:11-12 NLT).

Notice that these verses don’t say you’re blessed if people put you down because you’re being obnoxious. I hear many people who complain about being persecuted for being a Christian when actually they’re put down because they’re just not being nice to others.

You get no credit for that.

But if you’re persecuted for humbly speaking up for truth, Jesus says you can be happy. Why? God will reward you in heaven.

When you get to heaven, I want you to have a lot of rewards. I want you to be rewarded because you had the courage to stand up at work and say, “I am a believer in Christ. I know not everybody agrees with this, but he’s changed my life and I’m so grateful. I don’t serve him out of duty; I serve him out of love. I’m just so grateful. My past has been forgiven, I have a purpose for living, I have a home in heaven.”

When you get condemned, persecuted, and teased for doing that, Jesus says you’re in good company. People have done that to God’s witnesses and prophets for ages and ages. It’s part of the deal. Darkness can’t stand the light. Evil can’t stand goodness.

But when that happens, Jesus says, “Don’t worry about it. You’ll be rewarded for your courage in heaven.”

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Talk It Over

How does it help you handle persecution knowing that God will reward you in eternity for your faithfulness?

How does the faithful witness of believers through the ages help you stand strong amid harassment by others for your faith?

What’s one way God is calling you to demonstrate courage and speak out for him despite inevitable criticism?

For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!

Eternal Realities Complete Audio Series

It’s time to get the truth . . .

Questions about life after death are too important to leave unanswered – it’s time to get to the truth.

That’s why Pastor Rick put together an audio series called Eternal Realities: Heaven and Hell with clear, biblical answers about what happens when you leave this earth, and how you can be absolutely certain of your eternal destination.

This 3-message series gives you evidence from God’s Word on:

The reality of Hell – and why you don’t want any part of it.

The reality of Heaven – and the incredible hope it gives life here and now.

The eternal choice we all make – and how to be certain you're going to heaven.

An eye-opening resource for any Christian, Eternal Realities is also the perfect series to share with people you know who have questions about life after death or who may not realize the eternal significance of their earthly decisions.

So request your copy of Pastor Rick’s Eternal Realities Complete Audio Series when you give below to help share the hope found in Christ with more people. The good news about Heaven is too good to keep to yourself.

This devotional © 2017 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.