Living in the Light of the Kingdom
Righteousness brings the light of the kingdom into dark places.
Devotional Credit:
eManna – Those Who Are Persecuted Being Blessed
Photo Credit:
Unsplash
When Jesus said, Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens (Matthew 5:10), He made it clear that righteousness and persecution are often inseparable. The world, lying in the evil one, is marked by unrighteousness in its systems, motives, and actions. To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to invite resistance. Righteousness by its very nature disrupts what is unjust, so those who walk in it can expect opposition.
Today’s devotional from Witness Lee explains that those who choose righteousness in environments where compromise is normal will pay a price. This may happen in business, in employment, in relationships, or in daily life. Choosing what is just and honorable may draw condemnation or mistreatment. Yet this is not a sign of God’s absence but of His kingdom’s reality in our lives. When we remain in righteousness, the kingdom of the heavens remains in us.
In God’s kingdom there is no darkness, deceit, or wrong. It is entirely light, truth, and justice. To live in it now is to live in harmony with its nature, even in a world that resists it. Being poor in spirit brings the kingdom into us; staying in righteousness allows it to remain manifest in us.
We must remember that this is not about self-made morality, but about expressing the life of Jesus in us. The indwelling Spirit leads us in righteousness that reflects the very nature of the King. The persecution we face is not wasted. It is a mark of belonging to a kingdom whose values will one day fill the whole earth.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I have called you to walk in My righteousness, not by your own striving, but by My life in you. When you hunger and thirst for righteousness, you are longing for what I am. As you yield to Me, I will express that righteousness through you, even when it meets with the world’s resistance.
Do not fear the rejection of others. The kingdom you belong to is unshakable, and its light is in you. Darkness cannot overcome it. When others oppose you for doing what is right, they are not rejecting you, but Me in you. Blessed are you in that moment, for it reveals that you are living in step with My kingdom’s nature.
Remain in righteousness, for in it the kingdom of the heavens remains with you. Stand firm, not in your willpower, but in the life I have placed within you. This life will shine in truth and grace, and it will carry you through every moment of opposition. Remember, the same Spirit who raised Me from the dead dwells in you.
Scripture References: Matthew 5:10, 1 Peter 3:14, 1 John 5:19, Matthew 5:6, Romans 14:17, Philippians 1:28–29, John 15:18–20, Colossians 1:13
Real-Life Analogy
Think of walking into a room where every curtain is drawn and the air is stale. The moment you pull the curtains open, light floods in, and fresh air replaces the heaviness. But not everyone in the room will welcome it. Some may shield their eyes or try to close the curtains again. Righteousness works the same way. It exposes what is hidden and brings the clarity of truth, but not all will receive it gladly.
When you encounter moments like this in your day—perhaps at work when honesty costs you favor, or in family matters when peace is disrupted by speaking truth—remember you are not left to navigate it alone. You can say, “Lord, I trust You to live Your life through me right now, keeping me steady in Your righteousness.” His life in you will keep the light shining, even when others would rather stay in the dark.
Prayer of Confidence
Lord, I thank You that Your kingdom is already mine in Jesus, and that You have placed Your righteousness in me. I praise You that I do not need to manufacture it, but only yield to the life You have given. Thank You that even in persecution, I am blessed, because it shows that Your kingdom is real in me. I rest in Your presence today, confident that You will express Your righteousness through me in every situation.