Why Are the Righteous Persecuted?

How to Handle Persecution, Part 10 | with Daniel Whyte III

TEXT: Matthew 5:10-12: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

People often ask the question, why do bad things happen to good people? That question may come to mind when you are being persecuted for the faith. Here you are holding to the truth, holding to righteousness, following Jesus Christ, and trying to live a good and upstanding life. Yet, you are persecuted because of your faith in Jesus Christ. It doesn't seem fair. It doesn't seem right. Yet, as He expresses in the verses we just read, Jesus anticipates that His followers will be persecuted for righteousness.

Today, let's look at the reasons why righteousness is persecuted.

1. The first reason why righteous people are persecuted is because evil people love something that is evil or untrue.

2. The second reason why righteous people are persecuted is because unrighteous people feel a need to justify their own actions or lifestyle.

3. The third reason why righteous people are persecuted is because the principles that they live by are from another world.