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 would live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
10 But they held their peace.
11 Then he says to the man, Stretch forth your hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, as the other.
22 Blessed are you{}, when men will hate you{}, and when they will separate you{} [from their company], and reproach you{}, and cast 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 say to you{}, There is no man who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for the sake of me, and for the sake of the good news,30 but he [who] will receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life.
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, 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 and distresses, 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.
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 Yes, 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, be watchful: your{} adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour,
7 And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?