Be happy when you are mistreated

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29
Luke 6:12-38
Psalm 67:1-7
Proverbs 11:27

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Luke 6:22-23 "Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note ​— ​your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

We like to be liked, don't we? We like it when others say kind things about us.

But, it can feel like a dagger has been thrust into our spirit when we hear that someone is slandering us. The last thing we feel like doing when we hear such reports is to "rejoice" and "leap for joy." Yet, Jesus has told us to do this.

But, there are a couple of qualifiers:

First, the bad things said about us must be "because of the Son of Man." That simply means that if we are to rejoice when bad things are said about us or done to us, it needs to be because of the seriousness with which we take our life with Jesus. 

Maybe we are slandered for refusing to watch a movie with our friends that has content that the Lord says is wrong.
Maybe we are slandered for leaving the conversation of a group that is telling dirty jokes.
Maybe we are slandered for standing up for the truths of the Bible in an academic setting.

Being treated badly and slandered is a cause for joy ONLY if it is "because of the Son of Man."

Second, our joy comes from the fact that "(our) reward is great in Heaven." In other words, the Lord is taking note and will reward us when we arrive at our heavenly home.

Within the human heart is a longing for justice. Often, we may feel as if life isn't fair. Well, friend, that longing for justice was put in our hearts by God. And justice will be done on the Day of Judgment. When the Lord sees us treated unjustly, He will make it right when we stand before Him. He will reward us for those times that we were unfairly treated.

So, follow Jesus with reckless abandon. If others slander you or mistreat you for your walk with the Lord, an act of injustice. That just means that you will be rewarded all the more when you stand before Jesus.

Luke 6:22-23 "Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note ​— ​your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets."