Happiness and persecution don’t seem to belong together, but the New Testament consistently links them—not only our Lord, but the Apostles and even James. Why should persecution make us happy? How can any kind of suffering make us happy? I think Matt. 5:11-12 sums it up best—"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." There are two thoughts we want to notice in this article.

Persecution leads to happiness because in so doing the world is acknowledging that you are not "one of them". The world loves its own and hates those who are different. That’s why prophets, teachers, preachers, and other proclaimers of righteousness have been persecuted through the ages. Why did Cain murder Abel? According to 1 John 3:12, "because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous". Evil people hates for others to be good, as this not only pricks their conscience, but is living proof that they too could be righteous. So, when you are persecuted by the world, don’t be surprised. If they persecuted the very Son of God, who did no sin, should we be surprised that we who do sin and make mistakes are treated in the same way? The fact that the world persecutes us is indicative that we are not of the world, and if we are not of the world, then we must be of God. In 1 John 3:2 we are told the final result of being children of God—"it has not been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He (Jesus) is revealed, we shall be like Him." Beloved, if we are like Jesus, we will spend eternity with Him in heaven. So while persecution is not pleasant and can be a strong temptation to sin, when we are faithful we will receive the reward. Persecution is a sign that we could be on the right road.

We must also think about why we are being persecuted. People are still being persecuted today for their nationality or tribe, their social standing, their political thinking, etc. all over the world. The persecuted ones who are blessed are only those who are suffering persecution "for My sake". "If any suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. (1 Pet. 4:16) In verse 15 Peter makes it clear, that if we suffer for our crimes, we have nothing to glory in only when we suffer for Christ. Sadly, in this world of sin, many people suffer persecution for things they have no control over— nationality, color of skin, etc. Their persecution says nothing about their eternal destiny. We can be obnoxious, rude, and thoughtless and will likely suffer "persecution", but such persecution is no indication that we’re on the road to heaven. It is only when we are persecuted for our stand for Christ that we can confidently go on, knowing that our reward will be in heaven.

Happy are those who are persecuted, not because they enjoy suffering, but rather because in this way the world is making it clear that they are different. If they are different because they’re serving Jesus Christ, then they will spend eternity with Him in heaven. What are the few short years in this world, even with persecution, in comparison to heaven? Which do you want—life without persecution here and eternal torment, or life with persecution and eternal bliss?