Blessed are you when they Revile You...

Matthew 5:11-12 (ESV)
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “
“Judge not lest ye be judged!” “how can you be republican and a Christian?” or “how can you be Christians and Democrat?” “You’re just a hypocrite.” “I thought you were Christian, Christ would not have done that.” We have heard them all haven’t we? Trite phrases leveled at Christians for supposedly not living up to some moral code that the world imposes on us in the name of Christ. I love the judge not lest ye be judged, most people quoting that are judging you for judging. And then they quote that line as if it is the sum total of all the Jesus ever taught, or that he never meant that an erring brother should ever be admonished.
The world hates Christians. The hard part is to endure the hatred and still love. At some point or another every Christian is going to endure hatred for doing what he or she knew was right in the eyes of God. Family is going to turn on family. Friends turn on friends. The world will try to hold you to a standard they think is ridiculous, but somehow think you have taken upon yourself because you are Christian.
Others may have it worse. In some parts of the world it is not uncommon that people lose their lives for being Christian. Some are tortured physically. But sooner or later all meet some persecution. Somewhere along the way someone reviles you, that is tests your patience, tries to pick a fight with you. Somewhere along the way someone will slander you for being a Christian. Don’t fool yourself. Much of this same sort of thing would happen to you if you weren’t a Christian too. But when it happens to you because of Christ, well then realize, this is what happens to prophets, and so it happens to you. But it is a small thing compared to the blessings God has given you, and continues to give.