Servias Ministries Blog

The last Beatitude may be the most difficult one to embrace:

Matthew 5:10

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

​​For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This Beatitude assures us we will be tried and tested.  This is the test of maturity for the flesh seeks the path of least resistance.  Paul understood this and wrote in Romans 8:

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

In our last Bible study, I emphasized the fact that you must change your mind, you must change direction, you must repent.  It is your decision and as a man thinks, so is he.  If you live according to the flesh, you will “reap” the flesh- death and destruction, thus to be carnally minded is death.  If you are Spiritually minded, life and peace will result.  Those living in the flesh will persecute you… misery loves company.  The carnal mind is enmity against Our Heavenly Father and as we walk according to HIS specific direction, we too will experience hostility from those circumstances brought forth by the carnally-minded men.  Just as Jesus was not subject to their devices, we too will not be subject to those attempts designed to divert us from the path of righteousness.  James 4:4 emphasizes the point:

4  Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

You cannot have one foot in the world and the other foot in the Kingdom of Heaven.  It’s your choice.  Once you choose the Kingdom of Heaven, persecution will come, both internal and external.  Your carnal man will “persecute” you in an attempt to gain control over your life.  When you are no longer moved by the circumstances, adversaries, and challenges, you will experience a true liberation.  You will “know that you know”- the Truth has set you free.  Our Heavenly Father is found everywhere, HE is omnipresent.  HE is even in the persecutions.  If you run from the persecutions, you cannot experience the fullness of righteousness.  How can you become mature without testing?  Muscles must be stressed to grow stronger.  Persecution in this passage is really about surviving and overcoming the suffering or hardship.  It is about dying to “self”.  It is the culmination of your being set free.  When persecution comes, and it will, overcome it.  After all, the Sons of GOD are known as Overcomers.

The Kingdom of Our Heavenly Father is forever, evil is temporary.  Your ego wants to promote division and polarity.  A peacemaker promotes unity and moves to dissolve whatever prevents peace.  On a global level, peace is hard to find for there are wars and rumors of wars throughout the earth today.  All of creation is groaning for the sons of GOD to manifest.  Creation is waiting for those sons to come to full maturity and it is critical that the sons understand how to “make” peace:

Matthew 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.

Jesus would not have made this statement if it couldn’t be accomplished.  If you are not a peacemaker then you must be missing a revelation of what it takes to be one.  Love is the essential ingredient.  Love prophesied “Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.”  The sons of GOD will be the means by which peace spreads throughout the earth.  They are the ones who will be fully led by the Spirit and will behold the Face of Our Heavenly Father.  They will be the ones who “return” with the anointing, power, and authority to bring forth the Kingdom to earth.

How can you be a peacemaker if you don’t have peace in your own heart?  Peace results from the elimination of conflict.  Conflict arises from division, and division has as its source- the ego.  Your old man promotes strife and contention.  Are you driving around town in a “get even” mode when some motorist cuts you off?  Are you fighting others to get the best deal during the “Black Friday” shopping frenzy?  Are you envious of others who appear to be more successful than you?  Do you disparage others in order to exalt yourself?  You need to end your state of internal duality.  You need to ascend to Love.

My wife and I traveled to Australia in 2011.  The overall attitude there was in striking contrast to the U.S.  Here in the U.S., it seems as though we thrive on having an adversary.  On the other hand, the Aussies we encountered were as though we were instantly best of friends.  They were generally helpful and did not see us as interruption to their day.  They were quick to help in any way possible.  America was once like this but has been moving away from this attitude for decades.  Our military troops are stationed in many different countries overseas.  We “promote” democracy by force.  Most of the rest of the world view the U.S. as self-serving bullies.

Peace will precede unity.  The peacemakers will understand the path to unity and ultimately the manifestation of the Kingdom.  Wisdom and understanding are necessary for those who will promote peace.  There are many complex issues that plague society today.  The sons must be in unity with Our Heavenly Father to carry out the mission.  “Not my will, but THY Will be done” must be the creed of the peacemakers, for it is only Our Heavenly Father who has full comprehension of the answers to all of creation’s problems.  In HIM, will we restore peace.  The vessels of honor will be empowered to dissolve the divisive attitudes of the populace.  The ego will be exposed and will be dealt with.  No longer will we be limited in revelation but will have full access to the solutions found only at the Throne of Grace.  The source of adversarial actions and behavior will be exposed for all to see.  Instead of resisting evil, you will be propagating Love throughout the earth.  You will be known as a peacemaker.