6:22
The world will often reject those who belong to Christ. We have been extremely fortunate in the West for a long time in that Christianity was respected. For a period now that has been changing. First Christianity was dismissed or ignored to a large extent, now it is a positive disadvantage in many ways and we will have to wait to see if things get worse. However, we need to recognise that our situation was unusual. Most Christians in most places for most of history have been living under varying degrees of persecution, sometimes mild, sometimes very severe. The early Christians would first be rejected by the Jews, then persecution would come from the Roman Empire. When these things happen we need to remember that we are blessed. The words in this verse are very apt for our society today. Christians are increasingly excluded from public forums. Try giving a Christian view on homosexuality or transgenderism in education or social work. If we hold to Biblical views we are rejected as evil.
6:23
When these things happen we should rejoice. We should leap for joy! Two reasons are given for this “odd” reaction we are encouraged to have. First, “great is our reward in heaven”. Where are we looking to for our reward? Is it to the world, or is to God? There is a reward for those who suffer for the sake of Christ. The second reason is that it is normal, it is the way it has always been. The prophets were rejected. Some were killed, some were imprisoned. Nothing unusual is happening.
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