Throughout Scripture, believers are warned to expect opposition and hardship because of their faith. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches that those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake are blessed, and He instructs His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who mistreat them, as seen in Matthew 5:10 and 5:44. The apostle Peter writes that Christians should not be surprised when they face trials, but rather rejoice in sharing Christ's sufferings, as noted in 1 Peter 4:12-14. Additionally, Jesus warns in John 15:18 that the world will hate His disciples, and Paul reminds Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:12 that all who desire to live godly lives will face persecution.
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Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.
For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”