29 For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf.
If you grew up in the churches that I did, you were told that everything was going to be roses for you here on this earth because you were saved, well if you only had the faith to accept it. But the Truth is something very different.
Blessed and happy and [enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!. Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous--with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account. Matthew 5:10-11
Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to part asunder a man from his father, and a daughter from her mother, and a newly married wife from her mother-in-law-- And a man's foes will be they of his own household. He who loves [and takes more pleasure in] father or mother more than [in] Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves [and takes more pleasure in] son or daughter more than [in] Me is not worthy of Me; Matthew 10:34-37
[And] not be like Cain who [took his nature and got his motivation] from the evil one and slew his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his deeds (activities, works) were wicked and malicious and his brother's were righteous (virtuous). Do not be surprised and wonder, brethren, that the world detests and pursues you with hatred. 1 John 3:12-13
The Truth is that when we are called and chosen our Father allows us to be persecuted. He does this so that we are never able to trust in ourselves. As we are persecuted will see and feel our Father’s victory in the persecution. Our Father will keep us in the victory and power of Christ even if we are called to be martyred. The great thing is that the world will also see our Father’s power flowing through us in our persecution. Just as Pharaoh saw our Father’s power, just as Nebuchadnezzar saw it, just as the Roman soldiers saw it when Jesus was crucified, and just as people saw it when Christians were thrown to the lions in the Coliseum.
Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]-- Jude 24
30 So you are engaged in the same conflict which you saw me [wage] and which you now hear to be mine [still].
We will be persecuted, but our Father’s Love for the persecutors will never grow cold within us. Our Father will have us bless them, pray for them, and intercede for them. Our Father’s Love will have us forgive those who come against us. Our flesh will grow weak, but as it does, our Father will grow stronger within us and we will be far stronger in our weakness then we ever were before.
So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength). 2 Corinthians 12:10
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