Persecution...

When we our life in the Kingdom of God on earth, it is not going to be easy...One we will have to live a righteous life in this fallen and sinful world, which is a challenge.

Phillippians 2:15 (New Living Translation)

... Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Second many people who are not in the Lord will not accept our faith and our life ...We will be persecuted for our faith. But those who have chosen to follow Jesus can expect to be persecuted for the Kingdom in various ways. For Jesus said,

John 15:20 (NIV)

Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

Therefore if we going to be persecuted for Jesus sake, it should not come to us as a surprise...

Matthew 5:10-12 (New International Version)

10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Let us rejoice for we are not being talked badly because we live a sinful life but because of righteousness and because of Jesus who died on the cross for us (paying the penalty for our sins). So shouldn't we be glad that we being counted to suffer on His behalf? Let us not grow weary for we have a greater reward both here on earth and in heaven when we take the stand for Him...