Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:1
Phil Robertson is a man who understands the saving, changing power of Jesus Christ. If you read the entire GQ article you would see that he was telling his story. He was a young man who abused alcohol and drugs, was violent to his family and threw his wife and three children out of the house in a drunken rage. That's not the Phil you know on Duck Dynasty. Now he has a family and extended family who are loving and successful, raising their children and grandchildren in a happy, stable home. What happened to Phil? Phil met Jesus. Jesus' saving power filled his heart with love and changed everything about him. Now he is being persecuted for loving the one who saved him, loving his word and living in HIs righteousness.
That's it--Phil stood up for righteousness. He didn't go on a crusade, he didn't picket anybody or anything and he didn't express hatred for anyone. He was asked by a reporter what he believed and he told him. Why is that a problem? Because a rebellious minority of people in our nation don't want to hear that God has standards that He expects to be followed. Like Phil, he provides a way for everyone to experience the saving power of Christ and be enabled by HIs spirit to live to his standards, to be conformed to the image of His son (Romans 8:29). Phil is persecuted--so will you be if you stand for Jesus. But don't be afraid, stand for Jesus and you'll be building treasure in heaven just like Phil.
