No Fine Print

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  
Matthew 5:10 (NIV)

One of the signs that you have finally reached adulthood is when you have to put your name on a contract. And one of the first lessons you hear is to always read the “fine print” before you sign anything. Yet, if you are like me and most other people, you skip that step and hope for the best.  

To have a relationship with Jesus for eternity, you don’t sign a contract. You enter into a covenant. You make a sacred commitment. And here is the good news: there is no fine print with Jesus. In Matthew 5:10, Jesus very honestly lets you know that when you follow Him, it won’t be easy.  

There are people today who will preach that when you come to Jesus you can expect to always be healthy, wealthy, and wise. Life will be one big bed of roses. That is only half correct. The Christian life is a bed of beautiful roses, but you have to remember that every rose bed has its thorns. 

Jesus promises to give you everything He has,“For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” A kingdom is a place where a king rules and reigns. And, when the King of the kingdom lives in your heart and makes you one of his children, you rule and reign like He does. 

The Apostle Paul said it this way, “…if we endure we will also reign with him.” (2 Timothy 2:12, NIV) By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, when you choose to do what is right no matter how people react, you sit beside Jesus with a crown on your head. Jesus is not just talking about entering the kingdom; He is talking about enjoying the kingdom now.

You are a son or daughter in the family of God, a prince or princess in His kingdom. Jesus says that no matter what happens to you, everything in His entire kingdom is yours. You can’t lose and persecution cannot win. There is no fine print because of the One who died, was buried, and was raised from the dead. With Him, you can face anything and be victorious.

Prayer: Father, Thank You for calling me Your child, and sharing all the kingdom of heaven with me. And thank You for the privilege of being persecuted because of righteousness. May I stand up, speak up, share my faith, and experience the promise of reigning with You in Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.