Faithful Follower of Jesus

The section of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5:1-12, is known as “the Beatitudes”. Reading the Beatitudes is instructive and challenges the reader’s heart. They are as powerful as any words ever spoken. However, the release of transformative power occurs not just when read, but when acted upon. The power is in the “doing.” Jesus declared God blesses those who realize their need for him, those who mourn, are humble and merciful. He blesses those who have pure hearts, and work for peace. Jesus wraps up the Beatitudes proclaiming that God blesses those who suffer, mocked, lied about, and have evil things said about them because they have done right and are following him. God doesn’t just bless anyone who suffers, mocked, lied about, and has evil things said about them. The believer is not rewarded for being a loud and obnoxious jerk. The believer is not rewarded for run-of-the-mill hardships or for self-inflicted struggles. Christian’s love to label every hardship as an “attack.” “If you are talking about your Christian faith in a feckless way, a tactless way, an abrasive way, a culturally inappropriate way, and people oppose you, don’t say, ‘I am being persecuted for Jesus’ sake.’ No, you are being persecuted for your sake. If you are being obnoxious, the promise of blessedness doesn’t hold.” (Tim Keller, Faith in the Wilderness, Forward) God blesses those who go through these hardships because they do right, and because they are following Jesus and His teachings. Jesus told his followers they should be happy when they face hardship for staying true to Him and His teachings. Those who encounter struggles, hardship and suffering because the way of Jesus is counter to culture have a great reward waiting for them. Follow Jesus’ teachings and example, the reward waiting for you will be worth the “light momentary affliction” from those who don’t like the stance you take or your faithful following of Jesus. (2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV) Remain faithful to follow Jesus when everyone around you is going in a different direction.