Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)
Being “the persecuted” is just as much a foundational stone as the poor in spirit, the meek, or those who show mercy. This beatitude is last because it is the natural result of the first seven. When persecution is not evident in the life of a believer, that is the evidence of a lack of the first seven. It’s important also to understand that I am not speaking of political persecution or ethnic persecution, but persecution because of righteousness (or godliness). A godly person is not someone who is lifted up in his secular community, his relationship to the community is just the opposite: he will not fit in with any political persuasion or even any religious doctrine. Greater righteousness will always result in greater persecution. The kingdom of heaven is not just a reward for those who are persecuted for righteousness, but a result of refusing to conform to the righteousness and kingdom of the world.
— October 17, 2020