The Beatitudes. Matthew 5:3-12
Matt 5:1, 2 "Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:..."
Large crowds followed to hear His teachings .
| Large crowds followed to hear His teachings | . |
"Blessed" or blessedness
means a person's sense of God's approval--a happiness that comes from pure
character that sees sin as the fountainhead of all misery and holiness as the
cure for every woe. That is true happiness! That is a happiness that the world
can't offer and why the world's "happiness" is temporary. The Blessed states
that the Sermon on the Mount teaches leads to true happiness. The
first--"Blessed are the (1)poor in spirit"--says dump self-reliance and
pride, come and receive the Spirit! This is the key into entering Heaven. We were justified and reconciled to God through Christ and receive grace by God. Now we have a part in developing ourselves into maturity. Being in poverty means that you are in need!
The second characteristic trait of
the 7 beatitudes that will affect everyday conduct is -"Blessed are those who (2)mourn,
they will be comforted". That is to mourn or lament the effects of sin in
the world--to weep over sin, never to be so calloused to sin that we are
unmoved by it. Christians are to be joyful and that is where the comfort of The
Lord comes in! The blessing comes not in the mourning, but from the results of
mourning.
The third character trait
described in the Beatitudes is the quality of meekness. "Blessed are the (3)meek, for they will inherit the earth." A true believer is
aware of their poverty of spirit, grieve sinful lifestyle and in meekness bows
to a sovereign God like a child ----"WHATEVER pleases You, pleases
me." Whatever comes to me is an opportunity to draw closer to You, in
complete trust, I bow to it, to You. There is a peace there. God is holy. One
day there will be a strict accounting for all the wrongs in the world, and the
ones who are meek will inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those that
(4)hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" is the 4th
beatitude!
Completely relying on God for everything. Hunger and thirst are requirements for the body to live. Righteousness is whatever God decrees man to acknowledge and obey. It is what God says, not what man thinks!
If you are filled that means there is no space for want, greed, lust, envy or strife. But what is one filled with that can quench those attributes? Only righteousness can--those others never are satisfied or bring satisfaction to the soul.
A hunger and thirst for righteousness is a craving for God and His holiness over and over and over again. It starts then builds from being poor in spirit, mourning sin, submitting in meekness to Christ.
There is self-righteousness and there is a righteousness coming from God.
Do you have a genuine thirst and hunger--a longing for God and His Word, a hate for sin, is there a longing to do God's will? There are things that can increase your hunger and thirst--beware of idols, turn your eyes from the world, count all but Jesus as a loss, being in His presence, watch the company you keep, keep coming to Him and receive what He gives you!
Completely relying on God for everything. Hunger and thirst are requirements for the body to live. Righteousness is whatever God decrees man to acknowledge and obey. It is what God says, not what man thinks!
If you are filled that means there is no space for want, greed, lust, envy or strife. But what is one filled with that can quench those attributes? Only righteousness can--those others never are satisfied or bring satisfaction to the soul.
A hunger and thirst for righteousness is a craving for God and His holiness over and over and over again. It starts then builds from being poor in spirit, mourning sin, submitting in meekness to Christ.
There is self-righteousness and there is a righteousness coming from God.
Do you have a genuine thirst and hunger--a longing for God and His Word, a hate for sin, is there a longing to do God's will? There are things that can increase your hunger and thirst--beware of idols, turn your eyes from the world, count all but Jesus as a loss, being in His presence, watch the company you keep, keep coming to Him and receive what He gives you!
The 5th Beatitude character trait
is mercy. "Blessed are the (5)merciful, for they will see God." v.5:7. The first 4 Beatitudes dealt vertically--between man and God and God empowering
man. Now the remaining 5 traits are horizontal-- how man deals with man. How
does one who mourns sin respond to a sinner? with mercy.
Mercy, kindness and love work together. Mercy and forgiveness are in sync.
Mercy, kindness and love work together. Mercy and forgiveness are in sync.
Grace is unearned favor that saves, mercy is undeserved favor that forgives,
and peace is unsought favor that reconciles us!
Mercy sees a need and meets the need. Mercy is not for the worthy, but for the needy! We
all have a need for mercy. And it must be shown to all, or it won't be shown
back.
Mercy says: If you see a need and can met a need, then do. Fully forgive those indebted due to their behavior & attitude. Give understanding rather than judgement.
Showing mercy to different personalities: Some need assurance, give them assurance; some are insecure, affirm them; some weak, support them; some are timid, encourage them; some are reserved, spur them on. God is mercy!
Mercy says: If you see a need and can met a need, then do. Fully forgive those indebted due to their behavior & attitude. Give understanding rather than judgement.
Showing mercy to different personalities: Some need assurance, give them assurance; some are insecure, affirm them; some weak, support them; some are timid, encourage them; some are reserved, spur them on. God is mercy!
I had a friend tell me one time,
lay off from reading the cleansing Word of God a day or two and the stench of
your flesh will rise up! That's what the 6th Beatitude talks about purity.
"Blessed are the (6)pure in heart for they will see God." Matt 5:8
This pure is a "cleansing" of an evil conscience (heart) that we received by the blood of Jesus.
The heart is a mercy-seat of grief or joy; desires or affections; perceptions or thoughts; understanding or reasoning; imagination or conscience; intentions or purpose; will or faith. And thus it means the purity of actions, thoughts, desires, motivations, and proper reasoning.
To stay pure, after the initial cleansing, we must continually cleanse our heart, to continually see God in reality.
Cleansing habits: Read daily the cleansing Word; confession of sin and restitution to others, if needed, must be done to be in right standing with God and men; watch thoughts; watch the company kept; and set your mind on things of God.
"Blessed are the (6)pure in heart for they will see God." Matt 5:8
This pure is a "cleansing" of an evil conscience (heart) that we received by the blood of Jesus.
The heart is a mercy-seat of grief or joy; desires or affections; perceptions or thoughts; understanding or reasoning; imagination or conscience; intentions or purpose; will or faith. And thus it means the purity of actions, thoughts, desires, motivations, and proper reasoning.
To stay pure, after the initial cleansing, we must continually cleanse our heart, to continually see God in reality.
Cleansing habits: Read daily the cleansing Word; confession of sin and restitution to others, if needed, must be done to be in right standing with God and men; watch thoughts; watch the company kept; and set your mind on things of God.
Peace. Where in this bloody world
is peace?! Even in countries at "peace", a battle rages within it's
borders between men. That's why the last beatitudes fit well together.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God"
Matt 5:9 "Blessed are those who are (7)persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom."
Peace signifies harmony, not just absence of war. Horizontal embracement between parties--in spite of differences. That kind of peace comes from outside a man's deceptive heart. But wait-- what about purity of heart in the previous beatitude? That purity came from Jesus, who brings a peace. It comes from---the Prince of Peace. Does Jesus bring Peace on Earth? Scripture says He brings peace among men. Division will come because some aren't reconciled to God--so persecution follows the peacemakers-- those who are reconciled to Him,
What makes a peacemaker? Having peace with God, having peace w/ the body of Christ, and having a ministry of reconciliation. That is reconciling wayward men to Christ--sharing the gospel with your adversary. Peacemakers and the persecuted, go hand and hand.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad! because great is your reward in heaven for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Persecution is a given. Trials are a given. Stand strong in the Lord and His teachings and you will be blessed or His word is a lie and I believe Him, do you? We are on the way to maturity and God is full of grace, mercy and love!
Praying that you desire to please God, take on these character traits and then walk in them every step of the way, developing and maturing in the love of God! Ash
Peace signifies harmony, not just absence of war. Horizontal embracement between parties--in spite of differences. That kind of peace comes from outside a man's deceptive heart. But wait-- what about purity of heart in the previous beatitude? That purity came from Jesus, who brings a peace. It comes from---the Prince of Peace. Does Jesus bring Peace on Earth? Scripture says He brings peace among men. Division will come because some aren't reconciled to God--so persecution follows the peacemakers-- those who are reconciled to Him,
What makes a peacemaker? Having peace with God, having peace w/ the body of Christ, and having a ministry of reconciliation. That is reconciling wayward men to Christ--sharing the gospel with your adversary. Peacemakers and the persecuted, go hand and hand.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad! because great is your reward in heaven for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Persecution is a given. Trials are a given. Stand strong in the Lord and His teachings and you will be blessed or His word is a lie and I believe Him, do you? We are on the way to maturity and God is full of grace, mercy and love!
Praying that you desire to please God, take on these character traits and then walk in them every step of the way, developing and maturing in the love of God! Ash
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