THE BEATITUDES
God blesses
those who come to Him. The Sermon on the
Mount is God's call to righteousness. Paul understood righteousness in terms of
God's saving acts and of a person's right standing before God. Jesus uses the
term for moral behavior that conforms to God's will, as James does.
Specifically, righteousness is doing the will of God as Jesus reveals it. This
"revelation of righteousness" unifies the entire Sermon. Jesus teaches life’s basic principles. “Blessed” (makarios) means “shout for
joy!”
“God blesses
those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is
theirs.4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be
comforted.5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the
whole earth.6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for
they will be satisfied.7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will
be shown mercy.8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will
see God.9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called
the children of God.10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing
right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”
Matt 5:3-10 (NLT)
Matt 5:3. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The World
says: “Happy are the slave drivers (ambitious, aggressive) for they get on in
the world.”
Jesus says: “The
spiritually humble are God’s people, for they are citizens of His Kingdom.”
Matt. 5:4. “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall
be comforted.”
The World
says: “Happy are the hard boiled, for they never let life hurt them.”
Jesus says:
“They who are deeply concerned are God’s people, for they will see their ideas
become reality.”
Matt. 5:5. “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit
the earth.”
The World
says: “Happy are those who complain, for they get their own way in the end.”
Jesus says:
“They who are gentle are His people, for they will be His partners across the
land.”
Matt. 5:6. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, For they shall be filled.”
The World
says: “Happy are the worldly wise (who care for nothing), for they never worry
over their sins.”
Jesus says:
“They who hunger for justice are God’s people, for they will be given plenty to
chew on.”
Matt. 5:7. “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall
obtain mercy.”
The World
says: “Happy are the slave drivers, for they get results.”
Jesus says:
“The generous are God’s people, for they will be treated generously
themselves.”
Matt. 5:8. “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they
shall see God.”
The World
says: “Happy are the knowledgeable ‘men of the world’, for they know their way
around.”
Jesus says:
“Those whose motives are pure are God’s people, for they have spiritual
insight.”
Matt. 5:9. “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall
be called sons of God.”
The World
says: “Happy are the trouble-makers, for people have to take notice of them.”
Jesus says: “Men
of peace and goodwill are God’s people, for they will be known throughout the
land as His children.”
Matt. 5:10. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The World says: “Happy are those who cover
their trail and avoid resonsibility, they have it made.”
Jesus says:
“Those who have endured much for what is right are God’s people, they are
citizens of His new order of things.”
“Yes, and all
who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But
evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been
assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from
childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise
for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim 3:12-15 (NKJV)
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