What does it mean to be persecuted for righteousness' sake?

To be persecuted for righteousness' sake encompasses both the affirmation of faith in God’s righteousness and the living out of that truth in a world that often stands in opposition. It involves confessing the gospel, which declares that salvation and righteousness come solely through Christ, leading to potential backlash from those who reject this truth. The believer's identity is therefore as a new creature in Christ, and differences in values and beliefs will often provoke hostility from those who reject the righteousness of God. This persecution, however, is a mark of true faith and fellowship in the sufferings of Christ.