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.
The World’s Hatred
"If the world hates you, just remember that it has hated me first.
Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted;
"Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires;
the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
"Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers.
"Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and say that you are evil, all because of the Son of Man!
Recompensa na perseguição
Os perseguidos por causa de Cristo receberão grande galardão no céu. Quem perde por amor ao evangelho receberá cem vezes mais.
"Yes," Jesus said to them, "and I tell you that those who leave home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and for the gospel, will receive much more in this present age. They will receive a hundred times more houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields—and persecutions as well; and in the age to come they will receive eternal life.
Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death?
I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
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.
But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Ask God to bless those who persecute you—yes, ask him to bless, not to curse.
I am always in your care;
save me from my enemies,
from those who persecute me.
Even if I go through the deepest darkness,
I will not be afraid, Lord,
for you are with me.
Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.
Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?’