Tuesday: Identity with Christ

By James Boice

Sermon: Rejoice in Persecutions

Scripture: Matthew 5:12

In this week’s lessons, we learn what is necessary in order to rejoice in persecution.

Theme: Identity with Christ

In yesterday’s study, we concluded that in trying to respond rightly to persecution, you cannot trust your own feelings.

Neither can you trust your reason. For the reasoning power of a Christian is often that which is most shaken in the midst of persecution. Have you ever noticed how the apostle Paul described his mental state in the midst of his many persecutions? He writes about it in 2 Corinthians, telling us that confusion of his reason was at least part of the problem. 

Think and Act Biblically from James Boice is a devotional of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Think and Act Biblically and the mission of the Alliance.

Monday: Knowledge

By James Boice

Sermon: Rejoice in Persecutions

Scripture: Matthew 5:12

In this week’s lessons, we learn what is necessary in order to rejoice in persecution.

Theme: Knowledge

The most striking part of Christ's eighth and last beatitude is the command that the Christian is to rejoice in persecutions: "Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Not only is it striking, it is puzzling also. For the question immediately arises in the mind of any thoughtful reader, "How are we to rejoice in persecutions, when we are unjustly insulted, scorned, or condemned?" It is a valid question, and the answer is well worth pondering. How does a Christian rejoice in persecutions? I am convinced that the only valid answer to that question is by knowledge. 

Think and Act Biblically from James Boice is a devotional of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Think and Act Biblically and the mission of the Alliance.

Friday: Happiness Through Persecution

By James Boice

Sermon: Persecuted for Christ

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

In this week’s lessons, we learn that persecution is to be expected when we live a distinctively Christian life after the pattern of our Lord.

Theme: Happiness Through Persecution

Now the beatitude not only describes the nature of the Christian's persecution, persecution for the sake of righteousness. It also promises happiness to the one who is thus persecuted. How can persecution add to a Christian's happiness? Let me suggest two ways in which it is possible. 

Think and Act Biblically from James Boice is a devotional of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Think and Act Biblically and the mission of the Alliance.

Thursday: Persecuted for Being Like Christ

By James Boice

Sermon: Persecuted for Christ

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

In this week’s lessons, we learn that persecution is to be expected when we live a distinctively Christian life after the pattern of our Lord.

Theme: Persecuted for Being Like Christ

Well, then, if the verse does not mean being persecuted for being objectionable, or doing wrong, or being fanatical, or endorsing a cause, what does it mean? What does it mean to be persecuted for righteousness' sake, for Christ's sake? Simply put, it means to be persecuted for being like the Lord Jesus Christ himself. Jesus said that those who are persecuted for being like him will be happy. What is more, those who are like him will always be persecuted.

Think and Act Biblically from James Boice is a devotional of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Think and Act Biblically and the mission of the Alliance.

Wednesday: For Righteousness’ Sake

By James Boice

Sermon: Persecuted for Christ

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

In this week’s lessons, we learn that persecution is to be expected when we live a distinctively Christian life after the pattern of our Lord.

Theme: For Righteousness’ Sake

Thus, there is no promise of happiness for those who are persecuted for being a nuisance, for Christians who have shown themselves to be objectionable, difficult, foolish, and insulting to their non-Christian friends. This is not the thing about which Christ was speaking.

Thus, there is no promise of happiness for those who are persecuted for being a nuisance, for Christians who have shown themselves to be objectionable, difficult, foolish, and insulting to their non-Christian friends. This is not the thing about which Christ was speaking.

Think and Act Biblically from James Boice is a devotional of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Think and Act Biblically and the mission of the Alliance.

Tuesday: The Biblical Pattern

By James Boice

Sermon: Persecuted for Christ

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

In this week’s lessons, we learn that persecution is to be expected when we live a distinctively Christian life after the pattern of our Lord.

Theme: The Biblical Pattern

We said in yesterday’s study that the natural implication of the wording of this beatitude is that the one who reflects Christian character will be persecuted.

All of these writers would have agreed in an instant that even in the most tolerant country the cross would never cease to be a symbol for derision and intense hostility. Furthermore, they would have urged that the absence of persecution (as well as its presence) should drive a believer quickly to his knees. 

Think and Act Biblically from James Boice is a devotional of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Think and Act Biblically and the mission of the Alliance.

Monday: Persecution Inevitable

By James Boice

Sermon: Persecuted for Christ

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

In this week’s lessons, we learn that persecution is to be expected when we live a distinctively Christian life after the pattern of our Lord.

Theme: Persecution Inevitable

The Bible says, in many different passages, that true disciples of Jesus Christ will be persecuted. It is inevitable, a natural consequence of exhibiting true Christian character. And yet, any honest assessment of the Christian church in America must point out that although the country itself is far from Christian and ungodly, nevertheless there is very little persecution of Christians today. 

Think and Act Biblically from James Boice is a devotional of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Think and Act Biblically and the mission of the Alliance.

Friday: Peacemakers for Christ

By James Boice

Sermon: Three Virtues

Scripture: Matthew 5:7-9

In this week’s lessons we look at three beatitudes that describe our Christian character, which other people must observe and experience.

Theme: Peacemakers for Christ

From our study of the preceding two beatitudes, it should then be evident that in a similar way it is only those who have first tasted peace with God at the cross of Christ who can become peacemakers. Simply because they have known God's peace, they must be peacemakers.

Think and Act Biblically from James Boice is a devotional of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Think and Act Biblically and the mission of the Alliance.

Thursday: Purity of Heart

By James Boice

Sermon: Three Virtues

Scripture: Matthew 5:7-9

In this week’s lessons we look at three beatitudes that describe our Christian character, which other people must observe and experience.

Theme: Purity of Heart

The next beatitude says, “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” Again, the same general principles apply. We are to purify ourselves, as John says in the first of his epistles (1 John 3:3), but we are enabled to do so only because we have first been made pure by God and have come to see true purity in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Think and Act Biblically from James Boice is a devotional of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Think and Act Biblically and the mission of the Alliance.

Wednesday: Which Comes First?

By James Boice

Sermon: Three Virtues

Scripture: Matthew 5:7-9

In this week’s lessons we look at three beatitudes that describe our Christian character, which other people must observe and experience.

Theme: Which Comes First?

In yesterday’s devotional we said that mercy is grace in action, love reaching out to help those who are helpless and need salvation. Mercy identifies with the miserable in their misery. 

We cannot even state the definition of mercy as we have done here without thinking at once of the cross of Jesus Christ. For it is here that God has acted out of grace in mercy to fallen, sinful man. In fact, God acted so completely at the cross that there is a sense in which mercy can be seen by a sinful man only there. In his sinful, fallen state man could do nothing to save himself, so God stepped forward to do everything that needed to be done for man.

Think and Act Biblically from James Boice is a devotional of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Think and Act Biblically and the mission of the Alliance.

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