8 Steps to Righteousness by Faith, #8: Endurance
The Eighth Beatitude – Favored (Blessed) Are Those Who Are Persecuted for Righteousness' Sake, for Theirs Is the Kingdom of Heaven.
And
Favored (Blessed) Are You When They Revile and Persecute You and Say All Kinds of Evil Against You Falsely for My Sake.
Note: This is the only beatitude where Jesus restates His point to ensure clarity.
The Interpretation
You are favored by God when, for the cause of righteousness, you encounter:
- Angry insults
- Evil lies
- Abuse
- Punishment, and even
- Death
Essentially, the endurance of that persecution for doing the right thing is a sign of true faith and will be recognized by God as a positive attribute.
The Relationship to Daniel and Revelation
Daniel and his friends faced two kinds of active persecution:
- The demand that they worship another god (Daniel 3).
- The demand that they do not worship their own God (Daniel 6).
Daniel indeed showed endurance in the Bible, frequently suffering for righteousness.
The Book of Revelation describes many instances of suffering and persecution in times of trouble yet to come, but in much more graphic detail, including:
- Physical persecution: Revelation 12:13-14.
- Tribulation and suffering: Revelation 1:9; 2:9-10.
- Economic boycott: Revelation 13:17.
- Martyrdom: Revelation 1:18; 2:10; 6:9; 20:4.
Both Daniel and Revelation, nevertheless, show that there is great reward for those who “don’t care anymore” about what may happen to them as a result of being faithful.
The Teaching Point for Living the Grace Today
When you “don’t care anymore” if you will be harmed for doing what is morally right, you have reached the highest level of human motivation, the eighth and final step of spiritual growth that leads to righteousness by faith. It’s that “don’t care anymore” attitude (or beatitude) that gives the endurance needed to realize full potential and prosper in their "commission-driven life."
Therefore, let’s celebrate! Let’s sing “Let Everything That Has Breath, Praise the Lord!”
Discussion Questions
- Talk about how Beatitudes 1, “Favored (Blessed) are the Poor in Spirit…” and Beatitude 2, “Favored (Blessed) are Those Who Mourn…” relate to behavior.
- Talk about how Beatitudes 3, “Favored (Blessed) are the Meek…”; Beatitude 4, “Favored (Blessed) are Those Who Hunger and Thirst…”; Beatitude 5, “Favored (Blessed) are the Merciful…”; and Beatitude 6, “Favored (Blessed) are the Pure in Heart…” address character development.
- Talk about how Beatitudes 7, “Favored (Blessed) are the Peacemakers…” and Beatitude 8, “Favored (Blessed) are Those Who Suffer and Are Persecuted…” deal with a commission-driven life (Matthew 28:19).