Perseguição
Jesus advertiu que seus seguidores seriam perseguidos pelo mundo. Mas a perseguição não é sinal de fracasso — é sinal de fidelidade. Bem-aventurados os que sofrem por causa da justiça.
Perseguição como marca do discípulo
Jesus disse: se o mundo vos odeia, sabei que antes de vós odiou a mim. Todo o que quer viver piedosamente será perseguido.
18 If the world hate you, know that it has hated me before you.
12 And all indeed who desire to live piously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
10 Blessed they who are persecuted on account of righteousness, for *theirs* is the kingdom of the heavens.
11 Blessed are ye when they may reproach and persecute you, and say every wicked thing against you, lying, for my sake.
22 Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you {from them}, and shall reproach {you}, and cast out your name as wicked, for the Son of man's sake:
Recompensa na perseguição
Os perseguidos por causa de Cristo receberão grande galardão no céu. Quem perde por amor ao evangelho receberá cem vezes mais.
29 Jesus answering said, Verily I say to you, There is no one who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, {or wife}, or children, or lands, for my sake and for the sake of the gospel,30 that shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time: houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions, and in the coming age life eternal.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
10 Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.
Amor e confiança em meio à adversidade
A Bíblia nos ensina a amar nossos perseguidores, abençoar os que nos maldizem e confiar que nossos tempos estão nas mãos de Deus.
44 But *I* say unto you, Love your enemies, {bless those who curse you,} do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who {insult you and} persecute you,
14 Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not.
15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from my persecutors.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
8 Be vigilant, watch. Your adversary {the} devil as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour.
7 And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?