Jesus put it like this.

10  Blessed are they, which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. ¹

Today, February 1, 2001, a good man was voted into office as Attorney General of the United States of America. Most Americans had little knowledge or opinion of Mr. Ashcroft before the newly elected President of the United States chose him to be the Attorney General. But we know Mr. Ashcroft now.

Observers around the world might think they have been witnessing this battle over Mr. Ashcroft's nomination as one between the two major parties, Republicans and Democrats. However, true Christians who have the ability to discern know this has been a battle of good versus evil.

Mr. Ashcroft was persecuted for righteousness' sake – for Jesus' sake – and Mr. Ashcroft was not ashamed to call himself a Christian. He is not ashamed of the Gospel. ²

How many of Mr. Ashcroft's persecutors thought they were vilifying and distorting his character and reputation for the sake of the Democratic Party? Were not any of them inwardly uncomfortable of their role in the injustice done? How many of those men think they are Christian? Perhaps they should examine their motives and their own character. They might be surprised to find that their liberal ways are also the ways of the antichrist and they might be concerned for their eternal destiny.

Those of us, who know we are in the last days and who know to "watch," ³ have not been surprised at what has been taking place.

We were not surprised at the very closeness of the election. The world is increasingly divided between good and evil, although we realize that well-meaning people, through tradition and ignorance, think that the Democratic Party with its liberal mandate, remains a force for good. They do not know the cost of worldly, liberal thinking with its own definition of "righteousness."

In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul explained the difference between worldly, carnal, liberal thinking and spiritually led conservatism.

3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after 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, neither indeed can be.

⁴

Christians would do well to keep in mind the mockery of a trial, which was conducted against Mr. Ashcroft during these past two weeks under the auspices of confirmation. Jesus warned us in Mark 13:9

But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Although we did not witness actual physical beating, I have no doubt that we could say that Mr. Ashcroft was "brow-beaten". I know that if I had gone through what this man had to endure, I would certainly feel "beaten". Mr. Ashcroft was brought before the "rulers" of America for the sake of his belief in Jesus as Christ, and his testimony stood against them. As spiritual brothers and sisters of John Ashcroft, we are well aware that the Holy Spirit has been grieved. ⁵

Therefore, I caution my fellow believers to remember what has happened here today and what has been happening to those who walk upright before God.

Remember:

Leviticus 26:13  I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright .

1 Samuel 29:6  Then Achish called David, and said unto him, "Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright , and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not ".

2 Samuel 22:24  I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity .

2 Samuel 22:26  With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.

(Emphasis is my own.)

We're seeing the same persecution of ministers of the gospel who will not compromise the Word of God, those who stand for right, truth and justice, which are all now contrary to worldly thought, those who keep themselves set apart, "holy", for God's use. ⁶

Today is not the last of the persecution of the righteous. So be ready. ⁷ Watch and pray. ⁸ Walk in Love and Hope and Faith. ⁹ Cultivate the fruits of the spirit: Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. ¹⁰ Dress in your spiritual armor daily, putting on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation. ¹¹ And Forgive, that your Father in Heaven may forgive you. ¹²

Be Salt. Although being salt is not easy – be Salt. Remember always that you have a covenant ¹³ , a promise with your Father, God. Never let yourself forget that Jesus is your redeemer.

49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it?

Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. ¹⁴

By the Leading of the Holy Spirit and to the Glory of God
Merrellee Moore, February 1, 2001