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Banned Deviant
I am a deviantART Loather
TheQuietMaskedMan
Male/United States
Why I Am Here
No reason given yet
Last Visit: 268 weeks ago
Art Zone
Personal Zone
Misc. Zone
This is the place where you can personalize your profile!
But, how?
By moving, adding and personalizing widgets.
You can drag and drop to rearrange.
You can edit widgets to customize them.
The left side has widgets you can add!
Some widgets you can only access when you get a premium membership.
Some widgets have options that are only available when you get a premium membership.
We've split the page into zones!
Certain widgets can only be added to certain zones.
"Why," you ask? Because we want profile pages to have freedom of customization, but also to have some consistency. This way, when anyone visits a deviant, they know they can always find the art in the top left, and personal info in the top right.
Don't forget, restraints can bring out the creativity in you!
Now go forth and astound us all with your devious profiles!
(_!_) - An Arse, (__!__) - A Fat Arse, (!) - A Tight Arse, (_?_) - A Dumb Arse, (_*_) - A Sore Arse, (_x_) - KISS MY ARSE!!!
A dick is the unluckiest thing on the planet. It's got an eye that can't see, a head with no brain, and has 3 neighbours, 2 of them are nuts, and the other one is an asshole.
A fool and his money are soon partying.
A seminar on time travel will be held two weeks ago.
A synonym is a word you use in place of one you can't spell.
A woman never forgets her age once she decides what it is.
A wise monkey never monkeys with another monkey's monkey!
Adam was created first to give him a chance to say something.
Always keep a record of data - it indicates you've been working.
Always remember you're unique, Just like everyone else.
All women are idiots, I married their queen!
An accountant is a man hired to explain why you didn't make the money you did.
An egg is the unluckiest thing on the planet: it only gets laid once, it only gets eaten once, it takes two minutes to get hard, it comes in a box with eleven other guys, and the only one who ever sits on its face is its mom.
An erection is like the theory of relativity, the more you think about it, the harder it gets.
Ask me about microwaving cats for fun and profit!
Artificial inteligence? Better than natural stupidity.
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
Below Average Pilot = Unequal number of takeoffs and landings.
Be nice to your kids...They will pick out your nursing home.
Bundy - Because you can't solve the worlds problems over white wine.
Cards is like sex, if you don't have a good partner, you better have a good hand.
Cats: The other white meat.
Common sense is the least common of all senses.
Copy from one is plagiarism. Copy from two is research.
Crime doesn't pay, Does that mean my job is a crime?
Crashing is the only thing windows does quickly.
Despite the high cost of living, it remains popular.
Does the information highway have any rest stops?
Don't piss me off, I'm running out of places to hide the bodies.
Don't play stupid with me, I'm better at it!
Don't rush me, I get paid by the hour.
Don't start with me, You won't win.
Don't steal, The government hates competition.
Easy To Install: Difficult to install, but instruction manual has pictures.
Eat Well, Stay Fit, Die Anyway.
Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
Everyone has a right to be stupid, Some just abuse the priviledge.
Far to many cats, not enough recipes.
For people who like peace and quiet: a phoneless cord
God has Alzheimer's disease, He's forgotten that we exist.
Gravity doesn't exist, The Earth sucks.
Grow your own dope, plant a woman.
Hard work has a future payoff, Laziness pays off now.
Hard work never killed anyone, but why take a risk?
Hardware: The parts of a computer system that can be kicked.
Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over!
Help Wanted: Telepath. You know where to apply.
I always lie. In fact, I'm lying to you right now!
I apologize to the deaf for the loss of subtitles.
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it
I haven't lost my mind, I know exactly where I left it.
I haven't lost my mind, It's backed up on disk somewhere.
I like kids, but I don't think I could eat a whole one.
I know Karate, Kung Fu, and 47 other dangerous words.
I made it foolproof, but they're making better fools.
I multitask... I read in the bathroom.
I need someone really bad, Are you really bad?
I souport publik edukashun.
I still miss my ex...but my aim is getting better!
I took an IQ test and the results were negative!
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke!
I wish there was a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence, There's a knob called 'brightness,' but it doesn't work.
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Grandfather, Not screaming in Terror like his passengers!!!
I won't play stupid with you, because i know your better at it!
If I am what I eat them I am cheap, quick, and easy.
If idiots could fly, this place would be an airport.
If it's a rockin' don't come a knockin'
If it's not on fire, it's a software problem.
If it's too loud you're too old!
If you took a IQ test, the results would be negitive.
If you're rich, I'm single.
If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal.
Ignorance is temporary, Stupidity lasts forever.
I'm as busy as a one legged man in an butt-kicking contest.
Is 5 speeds and 9 inch's enough?
Is there life after death?.....Get me mad and you will find out!
It's not the bullet that kills you, it's the hole.
It's not the length, it's not the size, it's how many times you can make it rise.
Life is like a box of chocolates, It's full of nuts.
Life is like a roll of toilet paper, The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
Life's too short to be a lady.
Lost: 1 Wife, 1 Dog, reward offered for return of dog
Math problems? Call 1-800-10x(24+13)-(64-16)/2^14E2.
My other toy has tits.
My wife has a drinking problem, ME!!
Never play leap frog with a unicorn!
Never say "OOPS!", always say "Ah, Interesting!"
Nobody's ugly after 2 a.m.
Programming Rule: Never test for an error you don't know how to handle.
Ok, I pulled the pin. Now what? Where are you going?
Opinions are like assholes - everyone has one, and everyone thinks everybody elses stinks.
Opinions are like assholes - everybodys got one, but no-one wants to know about yours.
Operator, trace this call and tell me where I am.
Out of my mind...Back in five minutes.
OUT TO LUNCH - If not back at five, OUT TO DINNER!
Right now I'm having amnesia and deja-vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before.
Smile - it makes people wonder what you're thinking.
Smile - it makes people wonder what you're up to.
So many pedestrians so little time.
Some people are as useful as a milk bucket under a bull.
Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
Sumo Wrestling: Survival of the fattest
The 50-50-90 rule is whenever you have a 50/50 chance of getting somthing right, there is a 90% probability
you'll get it wrong!
The future isn't what it used to be.
The difference between light and hard is that you can sleep with a light on.
The easiest way to avoid a hangover is to just stay drunk.
The more you complain, the longer God lets you live.
The weather is here. Wish you were beautiful.
The woman cries before the wedding, the man afterwards.
The world is coming to an end. Log off and leave in an orderly fashion.
There is no right way to do a wrong thing.
Time is the best teacher, unfortunately it kills all of it's students.
To some its a six-pack, to me it's a support Group.
Treat each day as your last, one day you will be right.
Truck drivers have the biggest horn!
You are depriving some poor village of its IDIOT!
You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.
Want more grunt?, do it with a pig!
We are all born naked, wet, and hungry....Then things get worse.
What has 75 balls, and screws mainly old women? .................. Bingo!
When blondes have more fun, do the know it?
Where there's a will...I want to be in it.
Windows 98: 32-bit extensions and a graphical shell for a 16-bit patch to an 8-bit operating system originally coded for a 4-bit microprocessor, written by a 2-bit company that can't stand 1 bit of competition.
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you"
The Christian life is full of strange paradoxes that are quite insoluble to human reason, but that are easily understood by the spiritual mind. God’s saints rejoice with joy unspeakable, yet they also mourn with a lamentation to which the worldling is an utter stranger. The believer in Christ has been brought into contact with a source of vital satisfaction that is capable of meeting every longing, yet he pants with a yearning like that of a thirsty heart (Ps. 42:1). He sings and makes melody in his heart to the Lord, yet he groans deeply and daily. His experience is often painful and perplexing, yet he would not part with it for all the gold in the world. These puzzling paradoxes are among the evidences he possesses that he is indeed blessed of God. Such are the thoughts evoked by our present text. Who, by mere reasoning, would ever conclude that the reviled, the persecuted, the defamed, are blessed?
It is a strong proof of human depravity that men’s curses and Christ’s blessings should meet on the same persons. Who would have thought that a man could be persecuted and reviled, and have all manner of evil said of him, for righteousness’ sake? And do wicked men really hate justice and love those who defraud and wrong their neighbours? No; they do not dislike righteousness as it respects themselves: it is only that species of it which respects God and religion that excites their hatred. If Christians were content with doing justly and loving mercy, and would cease walking humbly with God [Micah 6:8], they might go through the world, not only in peace, but with applause; but he that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Such a life reproves the ungodliness of men and provokes their resentment (Andrew Fuller).
Verses 10-12 plainly go together and form the eighth and last Beatitude of this series. It pronounces a double blessing upon a double line of conduct. This at once suggests that it is to be looked at in a twofold way. What we have in verse 10 is to be regarded as an appendix to the whole series, describing the experience that will surely be met with by those whose character Christ has described in the previous verses. The carnal mind is enmity against God (Rom. 8:7), and the more His children are conformed to His image the more they will bring down upon themselves the spite of His foes. Being "persecuted for righteousness’ sake" means being opposed because of right living. Those who perform their Christian duty condemn those who live to please self, and therefore evoke their hatred. This persecution assumes various forms, from annoying and taunting to oppressing and tormenting.
Verses 10-12 contain a supplementary word to the seventh Beatitude. That which arouses the anger of Satan and most stirs up his children are the efforts of Christians to be peacemakers. The Lord here prepares us to expect that loyalty to Him and His Gospel will result in our own peace being disturbed, introducing us to the prospect of strife and warfare. Proof of this is found when He says, "For so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." It is service for God that calls forth the fiercest opposition. Necessarily so, for we are living in a world that is hostile to Christ, as His cross has once and for all demonstrated.
Our Lord mentions, in verse 11, three sorts of suffering that His disciples should expect to endure in the line of duty. The first is reviling, that is, verbal abuse or vituperation. The second is persecution. This word is a proper rendering of a Greek word meaning "to pursue, which means, in this case, "to harass, trouble, or molest" (either physically or verbally). It may include the sort of handling or hunting down to which Saul of Tarsus subjected the Church before he was apprehended by Christ (Acts 8, 9). Christ sets forth the third type of suffering as follows: "Blessed are ye, when men. . . shall say all manner of evil against you falsely. . . ." Thus He describes the defamation of character to which His saints must he subjected. This last is doubly painful to sensitive temperaments, finding its realization in the countless calumnies that the Devil is never weary of inventing in order to intensify the sufferings of the children of God. The words "persecuted for righteousness’ sake" and "for My sake" caution us to see to it that we are opposed and hated solely because we are the followers of the Lord Jesus, and not on account of our own misconduct or injudicious behavior (see 1 Pet. 2:19-24).
Persecution has ever been the lot of God’s people. Cain slew Abel. "And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous" (1 John 3:12). Joseph was persecuted by his brethren, and down in Egypt he was cast into prison for righteousness’ sake (Gen. 37, 39). Moses was reviled again and again (see Ex. 5:21; 14:11; 16:2; 17:2; etc.). Samuel was rejected (1 Sam. 8:5). Elijah was despised (1 Kings 18:17) and persecuted (1 Kings 19:2). Micaiah was hated (I Kings 22:8). Nehemiah was oppressed and defamed (Neh. 4). The Savior Himself, the faithful Witness of God, was put to death by the people to whom He ministered. Stephen was stoned, Peter and John cast into prison, James beheaded, while the entire course of the Apostle Paul’s Christian life and ministry was one long series of bitter and relentless persecutions.
It is true that the persecution of the saints today is in a much milder form than it assumed in other ages. Nevertheless, it is just as real. Through the goodness of God we have long been protected from legal persecution, but the enmity of Satan finds other ways and means of expressing itself. Let persecuted Christians remember this comforting truth: "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Phil. 1:29). The words of Christ in John 15:19, 20, have never been repealed:
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.
The world’s hatred manifests itself in derision, reproach, slander, and ostracism. May Divine grace enable us to heed this word: "But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, yet take it patiently, this is acceptable with God" (1 Pet. 2:20).
The Lord Jesus here pronounced blessed or happy those who, through devotion to Him, would be called upon to suffer. They are blessed because such are given the unspeakable privilege of having fellowship in the sufferings of the Savior (Phil. 3:10). They are blessed because such "tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed" (Rom. 5:3-5). They are blessed because they shall be fully recompensed in the great Day to come. Here is rich comfort indeed. Let not the soldier of the cross be dismayed because the fiery darts of the wicked one are hurled against him. Rather let him gird on more firmly the Divinely provided armor. Let not the child of God become discouraged because his efforts to please Christ make some of those who call themselves Christians speak evil of him. Let not the Christian imagine that fiery trials are an evidence of God’s disapproval.
"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad." Not only are the afflictions that faithfulness to Christ involves to be patiently endured, but they are to be received with joy and gladness. This we should do for three reasons. (1) These afflictions come upon us for Christ’s sake; and since He suffered so much for our redemption, we ought to rejoice greatly when we are called upon to suffer a little for Him.(2) These trials bring us into fellowship with a noble company of martyrs, for to meet with afflictions associates us with the holy prophets and apostles. In such company, reproach becomes praise and dishonor turns to glory. (3) We who suffer persecution for Christ’s sake are promised a great reward in heaven. Verily, we may rejoice, however fierce the present conflict may be. Having deliberately chosen to suffer with Christ rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Heb. 11:25), we shall also reign with Him, according to His own sure promise (Rom. 8:17). Remember Peter and John, who "departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41). So, too, Paul and Silas, in the Philippian dungeon and with backs bleeding, "sang praises unto God" (Acts 16:25). We are told that others "took joyfully the spoiling of [their] goods," knowing in themselves that they had "in heaven a better and an enduring substance" (Heb. 10:34). May Divine grace enable all maligned, misunderstood, and oppressed saints of God to draw from these precious words of Christ that comfort and strength that they need.
--
"Punk is musical freedom. It's saying, doing and playing what you want. In Webster's terms, "Nirvana" means freedom from pain, suffering and the external world, and that is pretty close to my definition of Punk Rock" - Kurt Cobain
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Matthew 5:10-12 -
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 who were before you.
Ok....np. I found a scripture 4 that so-called "spamming" in the forums.
I dont need 2 post anymore do you know why?
I've planted the seeds & now all God has to do is water them.
--
"Punk is musical freedom. It's saying, doing and playing what you want. In Webster's terms, "Nirvana" means freedom from pain, suffering and the external world, and that is pretty close to my definition of Punk Rock" - Kurt Cobain
Please, no more spamming the forums. Please use your journal from this point forward. Disciplinary actions will be taken if you chose to violate policy and continue to spam.
-- "To trudge: the slow, weary, depressing yet determined walk of a man who has nothing left in life except the impulse to simply soldier on." - Chaucer (A Knight's Tale)
Hey, what were you thinking with that forum post? Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to infringe on your free speech and stuff like that, I have some pretty strong opinions myself. I'm not anti-christian, or anti-God, or anything like that, I just don't think that the forum was the best place for all of that. You read the Book a lot, I'd wager. Didn't you read the passage where it says don't cast your pearls before swine lest the trample them under foot and turn and rend you? I don't know what you've been given, God may have plan for you, but I seriously doubt it involves shoving doctrine down people's throats in a forum. Feel free to flame me if you like, but this is just my opinion.
You bring up valid points, but never doubt where God might effectively use a believer. Even soapbox hellfire-and-brimstone preachers are being used by God to bring about change in people's lives
-- Esse quam videri. | Member of The Toasters and PureRevelation. | Death creeps like the breeze, but have no fear: watch me inhale.
They're also being used as very effective tools of the enemy to drive people away from God. The most damage that's ever been done against the word of God has been by well-meaning Christians. I understand your fervor, especially now, when there's so little time left, but this isn't the way to go about it.
now how do i get you chucked off devART????
--
#i live#i love#i laugh#
(_!_) - An Arse, (__!__) - A Fat Arse, (!) - A Tight Arse, (_?_) - A Dumb Arse, (_*_) - A Sore Arse, (_x_) - KISS MY ARSE!!!
A dick is the unluckiest thing on the planet. It's got an eye that can't see, a head with no brain, and has 3 neighbours, 2 of them are nuts, and the other one is an asshole.
A fool and his money are soon partying.
A seminar on time travel will be held two weeks ago.
A synonym is a word you use in place of one you can't spell.
A woman never forgets her age once she decides what it is.
A wise monkey never monkeys with another monkey's monkey!
Adam was created first to give him a chance to say something.
Always keep a record of data - it indicates you've been working.
Always remember you're unique, Just like everyone else.
All women are idiots, I married their queen!
An accountant is a man hired to explain why you didn't make the money you did.
An egg is the unluckiest thing on the planet: it only gets laid once, it only gets eaten once, it takes two minutes to get hard, it comes in a box with eleven other guys, and the only one who ever sits on its face is its mom.
An erection is like the theory of relativity, the more you think about it, the harder it gets.
Ask me about microwaving cats for fun and profit!
Artificial inteligence? Better than natural stupidity.
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
Below Average Pilot = Unequal number of takeoffs and landings.
Be nice to your kids...They will pick out your nursing home.
Bundy - Because you can't solve the worlds problems over white wine.
Cards is like sex, if you don't have a good partner, you better have a good hand.
Cats: The other white meat.
Common sense is the least common of all senses.
Copy from one is plagiarism. Copy from two is research.
Crime doesn't pay, Does that mean my job is a crime?
Crashing is the only thing windows does quickly.
Despite the high cost of living, it remains popular.
Does the information highway have any rest stops?
Don't piss me off, I'm running out of places to hide the bodies.
Don't play stupid with me, I'm better at it!
Don't rush me, I get paid by the hour.
Don't start with me, You won't win.
Don't steal, The government hates competition.
Easy To Install: Difficult to install, but instruction manual has pictures.
Eat Well, Stay Fit, Die Anyway.
Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
Everyone has a right to be stupid, Some just abuse the priviledge.
Far to many cats, not enough recipes.
For people who like peace and quiet: a phoneless cord
God has Alzheimer's disease, He's forgotten that we exist.
Gravity doesn't exist, The Earth sucks.
Grow your own dope, plant a woman.
Hard work has a future payoff, Laziness pays off now.
Hard work never killed anyone, but why take a risk?
Hardware: The parts of a computer system that can be kicked.
Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over!
Help Wanted: Telepath. You know where to apply.
I always lie. In fact, I'm lying to you right now!
I apologize to the deaf for the loss of subtitles.
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it
I haven't lost my mind, I know exactly where I left it.
I haven't lost my mind, It's backed up on disk somewhere.
I like kids, but I don't think I could eat a whole one.
I know Karate, Kung Fu, and 47 other dangerous words.
I made it foolproof, but they're making better fools.
I multitask... I read in the bathroom.
I need someone really bad, Are you really bad?
I souport publik edukashun.
I still miss my ex...but my aim is getting better!
I took an IQ test and the results were negative!
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke!
I wish there was a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence, There's a knob called 'brightness,' but it doesn't work.
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Grandfather, Not screaming in Terror like his passengers!!!
I won't play stupid with you, because i know your better at it!
If I am what I eat them I am cheap, quick, and easy.
If idiots could fly, this place would be an airport.
If it's a rockin' don't come a knockin'
If it's not on fire, it's a software problem.
If it's too loud you're too old!
If you took a IQ test, the results would be negitive.
If you're rich, I'm single.
If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal.
Ignorance is temporary, Stupidity lasts forever.
I'm as busy as a one legged man in an butt-kicking contest.
Is 5 speeds and 9 inch's enough?
Is there life after death?.....Get me mad and you will find out!
It's not the bullet that kills you, it's the hole.
It's not the length, it's not the size, it's how many times you can make it rise.
Life is like a box of chocolates, It's full of nuts.
Life is like a roll of toilet paper, The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
Life's too short to be a lady.
Lost: 1 Wife, 1 Dog, reward offered for return of dog
Math problems? Call 1-800-10x(24+13)-(64-16)/2^14E2.
My other toy has tits.
My wife has a drinking problem, ME!!
Never play leap frog with a unicorn!
Never say "OOPS!", always say "Ah, Interesting!"
Nobody's ugly after 2 a.m.
Programming Rule: Never test for an error you don't know how to handle.
Ok, I pulled the pin. Now what? Where are you going?
Opinions are like assholes - everyone has one, and everyone thinks everybody elses stinks.
Opinions are like assholes - everybodys got one, but no-one wants to know about yours.
Operator, trace this call and tell me where I am.
Out of my mind...Back in five minutes.
OUT TO LUNCH - If not back at five, OUT TO DINNER!
Recursion: noun, See Recursion.
Reduce Carbon Dioxide emmissions - STOP BREATHING!
Right now I'm having amnesia and deja-vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before.
Smile - it makes people wonder what you're thinking.
Smile - it makes people wonder what you're up to.
So many pedestrians so little time.
Some people are as useful as a milk bucket under a bull.
Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
Sumo Wrestling: Survival of the fattest
The 50-50-90 rule is whenever you have a 50/50 chance of getting somthing right, there is a 90% probability
you'll get it wrong!
The future isn't what it used to be.
The difference between light and hard is that you can sleep with a light on.
The easiest way to avoid a hangover is to just stay drunk.
The more you complain, the longer God lets you live.
The weather is here. Wish you were beautiful.
The woman cries before the wedding, the man afterwards.
The world is coming to an end. Log off and leave in an orderly fashion.
There is no right way to do a wrong thing.
Time is the best teacher, unfortunately it kills all of it's students.
To some its a six-pack, to me it's a support Group.
Treat each day as your last, one day you will be right.
Truck drivers have the biggest horn!
You are depriving some poor village of its IDIOT!
You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.
Want more grunt?, do it with a pig!
We are all born naked, wet, and hungry....Then things get worse.
What has 75 balls, and screws mainly old women? .................. Bingo!
When blondes have more fun, do the know it?
Where there's a will...I want to be in it.
Windows 98: 32-bit extensions and a graphical shell for a 16-bit patch to an 8-bit operating system originally coded for a 4-bit microprocessor, written by a 2-bit company that can't stand 1 bit of competition.
Why is "abbreviation" such a long word?
Zero to naked in 6.2 beers.
Matthew 5:10-12
---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
The Christian life is full of strange paradoxes that are quite insoluble to human reason, but that are easily understood by the spiritual mind. God’s saints rejoice with joy unspeakable, yet they also mourn with a lamentation to which the worldling is an utter stranger. The believer in Christ has been brought into contact with a source of vital satisfaction that is capable of meeting every longing, yet he pants with a yearning like that of a thirsty heart (Ps. 42:1). He sings and makes melody in his heart to the Lord, yet he groans deeply and daily. His experience is often painful and perplexing, yet he would not part with it for all the gold in the world. These puzzling paradoxes are among the evidences he possesses that he is indeed blessed of God. Such are the thoughts evoked by our present text. Who, by mere reasoning, would ever conclude that the reviled, the persecuted, the defamed, are blessed?
It is a strong proof of human depravity that men’s curses and Christ’s blessings should meet on the same persons. Who would have thought that a man could be persecuted and reviled, and have all manner of evil said of him, for righteousness’ sake? And do wicked men really hate justice and love those who defraud and wrong their neighbours? No; they do not dislike righteousness as it respects themselves: it is only that species of it which respects God and religion that excites their hatred. If Christians were content with doing justly and loving mercy, and would cease walking humbly with God [Micah 6:8], they might go through the world, not only in peace, but with applause; but he that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Such a life reproves the ungodliness of men and provokes their resentment (Andrew Fuller).
Verses 10-12 plainly go together and form the eighth and last Beatitude of this series. It pronounces a double blessing upon a double line of conduct. This at once suggests that it is to be looked at in a twofold way. What we have in verse 10 is to be regarded as an appendix to the whole series, describing the experience that will surely be met with by those whose character Christ has described in the previous verses. The carnal mind is enmity against God (Rom. 8:7), and the more His children are conformed to His image the more they will bring down upon themselves the spite of His foes. Being "persecuted for righteousness’ sake" means being opposed because of right living. Those who perform their Christian duty condemn those who live to please self, and therefore evoke their hatred. This persecution assumes various forms, from annoying and taunting to oppressing and tormenting.
Verses 10-12 contain a supplementary word to the seventh Beatitude. That which arouses the anger of Satan and most stirs up his children are the efforts of Christians to be peacemakers. The Lord here prepares us to expect that loyalty to Him and His Gospel will result in our own peace being disturbed, introducing us to the prospect of strife and warfare. Proof of this is found when He says, "For so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." It is service for God that calls forth the fiercest opposition. Necessarily so, for we are living in a world that is hostile to Christ, as His cross has once and for all demonstrated.
Our Lord mentions, in verse 11, three sorts of suffering that His disciples should expect to endure in the line of duty. The first is reviling, that is, verbal abuse or vituperation. The second is persecution. This word is a proper rendering of a Greek word meaning "to pursue, which means, in this case, "to harass, trouble, or molest" (either physically or verbally). It may include the sort of handling or hunting down to which Saul of Tarsus subjected the Church before he was apprehended by Christ (Acts 8, 9). Christ sets forth the third type of suffering as follows: "Blessed are ye, when men. . . shall say all manner of evil against you falsely. . . ." Thus He describes the defamation of character to which His saints must he subjected. This last is doubly painful to sensitive temperaments, finding its realization in the countless calumnies that the Devil is never weary of inventing in order to intensify the sufferings of the children of God. The words "persecuted for righteousness’ sake" and "for My sake" caution us to see to it that we are opposed and hated solely because we are the followers of the Lord Jesus, and not on account of our own misconduct or injudicious behavior (see 1 Pet. 2:19-24).
Persecution has ever been the lot of God’s people. Cain slew Abel. "And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous" (1 John 3:12). Joseph was persecuted by his brethren, and down in Egypt he was cast into prison for righteousness’ sake (Gen. 37, 39). Moses was reviled again and again (see Ex. 5:21; 14:11; 16:2; 17:2; etc.). Samuel was rejected (1 Sam. 8:5). Elijah was despised (1 Kings 18:17) and persecuted (1 Kings 19:2). Micaiah was hated (I Kings 22:8). Nehemiah was oppressed and defamed (Neh. 4). The Savior Himself, the faithful Witness of God, was put to death by the people to whom He ministered. Stephen was stoned, Peter and John cast into prison, James beheaded, while the entire course of the Apostle Paul’s Christian life and ministry was one long series of bitter and relentless persecutions.
It is true that the persecution of the saints today is in a much milder form than it assumed in other ages. Nevertheless, it is just as real. Through the goodness of God we have long been protected from legal persecution, but the enmity of Satan finds other ways and means of expressing itself. Let persecuted Christians remember this comforting truth: "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Phil. 1:29). The words of Christ in John 15:19, 20, have never been repealed:
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.
The world’s hatred manifests itself in derision, reproach, slander, and ostracism. May Divine grace enable us to heed this word: "But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, yet take it patiently, this is acceptable with God" (1 Pet. 2:20).
The Lord Jesus here pronounced blessed or happy those who, through devotion to Him, would be called upon to suffer. They are blessed because such are given the unspeakable privilege of having fellowship in the sufferings of the Savior (Phil. 3:10). They are blessed because such "tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed" (Rom. 5:3-5). They are blessed because they shall be fully recompensed in the great Day to come. Here is rich comfort indeed. Let not the soldier of the cross be dismayed because the fiery darts of the wicked one are hurled against him. Rather let him gird on more firmly the Divinely provided armor. Let not the child of God become discouraged because his efforts to please Christ make some of those who call themselves Christians speak evil of him. Let not the Christian imagine that fiery trials are an evidence of God’s disapproval.
"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad." Not only are the afflictions that faithfulness to Christ involves to be patiently endured, but they are to be received with joy and gladness. This we should do for three reasons. (1) These afflictions come upon us for Christ’s sake; and since He suffered so much for our redemption, we ought to rejoice greatly when we are called upon to suffer a little for Him.(2) These trials bring us into fellowship with a noble company of martyrs, for to meet with afflictions associates us with the holy prophets and apostles. In such company, reproach becomes praise and dishonor turns to glory. (3) We who suffer persecution for Christ’s sake are promised a great reward in heaven. Verily, we may rejoice, however fierce the present conflict may be. Having deliberately chosen to suffer with Christ rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Heb. 11:25), we shall also reign with Him, according to His own sure promise (Rom. 8:17). Remember Peter and John, who "departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41). So, too, Paul and Silas, in the Philippian dungeon and with backs bleeding, "sang praises unto God" (Acts 16:25). We are told that others "took joyfully the spoiling of [their] goods," knowing in themselves that they had "in heaven a better and an enduring substance" (Heb. 10:34). May Divine grace enable all maligned, misunderstood, and oppressed saints of God to draw from these precious words of Christ that comfort and strength that they need.
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"Punk is musical freedom. It's saying, doing and playing what you want. In Webster's terms, "Nirvana" means freedom from pain, suffering and the external world, and that is pretty close to my definition of Punk Rock" - Kurt Cobain
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Matthew 5:10-12 -
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 who were before you.
Ok....np. I found a scripture 4 that so-called "spamming" in the forums.
I dont need 2 post anymore do you know why?
I've planted the seeds & now all God has to do is water them.
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"Punk is musical freedom. It's saying, doing and playing what you want. In Webster's terms, "Nirvana" means freedom from pain, suffering and the external world, and that is pretty close to my definition of Punk Rock" - Kurt Cobain
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"To trudge: the slow, weary, depressing yet determined walk of a man who has nothing left in life except the impulse to simply soldier on."
- Chaucer (A Knight's Tale)
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Esse quam videri. | Member of The Toasters and PureRevelation. | Death creeps like the breeze, but have no fear: watch me inhale.
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Esse quam videri. | Member of The Toasters and PureRevelation. | Death creeps like the breeze, but have no fear: watch me inhale.
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Have a
We are real people fighting to survive. Remember that.
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