As I researched the eight beatitudes from JESUS’ Sermon on
the Mount for recent article posts, I
became convinced that these “statements of blessing” are for all who claim GOD
as Father and JESUS as LORD, and not just for the disciples of JESUS’s day, as
some commentaries suggest.
I agree with Christian writer and poet Eric Simpson that the Beatitudes “…are the essence, the lifeblood and beating heart of authentic,
ancient and living Christianity.”
The Beatitudes describe the life of JESUS. Throughout the
generations the children of GOD are identified as such because we imitate
CHRIST’s life. There ought to be no supposition, no guesswork, no perhaps, or
maybes about who we are, and not just by what we profess but what we actively
and consistently DO! Including these Beatitudes.
All of GOD’s WORD is His law. While the world in general is free
to see the Scriptures as “suggestions,” we who claim “sonship” with the Father do
not have that luxury.
My research indicate strongly that Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they
shall see God.” is central to living and authentic Christian lifestyle,
that this is where it must begin before the rest –poverty of spirit,
peacemaking, a passion for righteousness, compassion, mourning for others,
meekness, will follow naturally. It must be a natural outflow; we cannot fake
these, not for long.
A pure heart is the seat of holiness.
The Bible is clear that purity of heart is fundamental to
holiness: Guard your heart above all
else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 NLT. The New International translation (NIV) says
it this way, Above all else, guard your
heart, for everything you do flows from it. Terms used in other
translations for the heart include “source of life,” “issue of life,” “spring
of life.”
The condition of our hearts determines the condition
of our action.
Is it possible to do all the “right” Christian activity –
church attendance, Bible reading/study, regular prayer, etc. and not “see GOD?”
To not be involved in overt sin or depravity does not equate
with being in right standing to see GOD – not when we compare our righteousness
by the world’s standards instead of GOD’s.
No individual in JESUS’ day could out-do a Pharisee in
“righteous” living. These Jewish religious leaders observed over 600 religious
laws and chastened severely anyone of the faith who couldn’t keep these laws to
the letter. Yet JESUS warned His disciples against imitating their lifestyle.
“For I tell you that unless your righteousness
surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly
not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew
5:20
These Jewish religious leaders lacked compassion, love and
respect for others. JESUS was contemptuous of their rituals and ceremonial practices,
called them hypocrites and warned them of harsh judgement.
“What sorrow awaits
you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees, Hypocrites! For you are
careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore
the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith….Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of
hell?” Matthew 23: 23-31
The Pharisees religion was devoid of purity of heart and
thus could not meet the Father’s criteria for holy living. JESUS was explicit that GOD’s response to this
self-righteousness would be His wrath and judgement.
To have only an appearance of holiness, one that does not
involve purity of the heart, is offensive to the Father.
The Christ-like lifestyle (“Be holy, for I am holy”) the Father demands of His children is one of self-sacrifice.
As CHRIST’s life demanded huge sacrifices of Him, the life
of a child of GOD demands the same:
- Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose. 1 Peter 4:1-2
- Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
- I have been crucified with Christ…. Galatians 2:20
- I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8
- "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23
- I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God…Romans 12:1-2
- "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:38
Is the self-sacrifice worth it?
The answer has to be “yes”,
if we want to experience the blessedness offered in the Beatitudes –
- to see the face of GOD Matthew 5:8
- to inherit the kingdom of heaven Matthew 5:3 & 10
- to be comforted in our trials Matthew 5:4
- to inherit the goodness of this earthly kingdom Matthew 5:5
- to be filled with JESUS righteousness Matthew 5:6
- to have mercy instead of justice Matthew 5:7
- to be GOD’s children Matthew 5:9
Fortunately for us, GOD knows that, even though we want to live
lives that please Him, often our spirit
is willing, but the flesh is weak, that we
will sin and fall short of His glory. He has called us to be victorious in living
out our calling as children of GOD, but He does not expect us to go the journey
alone.
We can forget that our being like GOD in holiness can only
be done with the help of the entire Godhead - the Father who is the origin of our
holiness, the SON who imputes that holiness to us and the Holy Spirit who is our
sanctifier for our life time. Together they work to change us daily into GOD’s same image from one degree of glory to
another. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Why must we be
willing to give ourselves over completely to THEM all?
We can go back to the fundamentals for an answer.
The opening question of the book of Reformed Christian
Instruction, the Heidelberg
Catechism gives us a clue:
What is your only comfort in life and death?
The answer in summary is whether we live or die, we belong
body and soul to the Father who purchased us with the blood of His SON, JESUS
CHRIST to free us from the power of sin and evil. The Father, Son and Holy
Spirit work as one to preserve us daily so that “not one hair falls from our
heads” without His knowledge, and He works everything together to ensure us of
eternal life
.
The Father goes one step further and put His joy in us to
make it our greatest delight to live for Him.
We can do this!
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Holy Father, our LORD and our GOD
whose mercy endures forever and whose love is steadfast. Thank you for giving
your SON, JESUS CHRIST for us. Father, we know that without HIS enormous
and matchless sacrifice, our end would be truly unbearable. We thank you that He’s our HIGH KINGLY
PRIEST, TEACHER and FRIEND who helps us to live a holy and authentic Christian
life, to do your will by showing mercy, peace, and compassion to a dark world. Father,
YOU chose us and YOU equipped us with everything we need to do what is pleasing
in YOUR sight. You show us how to die to self and live for and with Christ here
on earth so we can enjoy YOUR glory in
the New Jerusalem. We love YOU for your eternal care of us. There is
none more deserving and we give YOU all
the praise, all the honor and all the glory, forever and ever. We ask all
things in HIS Holy NAME. Amen.
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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