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 hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake,for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when men insult you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
22 Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, 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 said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News,30 but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I 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.
44 But I tell you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse.
15 My times are in your hand.Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me.Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
7 I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'