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, is hating, you, ye are getting to know that, me, before you, it hath hated.
12 Yea and, all who are determined to live in a godly manner in Christ Jesus, will be persecuted;
10 Happy, they who have been persecuted for righteousness sake; for, theirs, is the kingdom of the heavens.
11 Happy, are ye, whensoever they may reproach you and persecute you, and say every evil thing against you, falsely, for my sake:
22 Happy, are ye, whensoever men shall hate you, and whensoever they shall separate you, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the sake 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 Jesus saidVerily, I say unto youThere is, no one, who hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for the sake of me, and for the sake of the glad-message,30 who shall not receive a hundredfold, now, in this season, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands,with persecutions, and, in the age that is coming, life age-abiding.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of the Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
10 Wherefore, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, and straits, in behalf of Christ; for, as soon as I am weak, then, 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, Be loving your enemies, and praying for them who are persecuting you:
14 Bless them that persecute, bless, and do not curse.
15 In thy hand, are my times, Rescue me from the hand of my foes and from my pursuers!
4 Yea, though I walk through a valley death-shadowed, I will fear no harm, for, thou, art with me, Thy rod and thy staff, they, comfort me.
8 Be sober! be watchful! Your slanderous adversary, as a roaring lion, is walking aboutseeking to devour:
7 I fell also to the ground, and heard a voice saying unto meSaul! Saul! Why, me, art thou persecuting?