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, keep in mind that it hated me first.
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, 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.
29 "Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields —along with persecutions —and in the age to come eternal life.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. 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.
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 hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, "I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?'