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, remember that it hated me first.
Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
"God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow 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 replied, "and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News,will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. 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 I say, love your enemies!Pray for those who persecute you!
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
My future is in your hands.
Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls 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 are you persecuting me?’