THE BEATITUDES (Part 1)
FOREWORD
“Beatitudes” is not a Bible word, but it means “blessings.” In turn, “blessings” mean “happiness.” Some translators have preferred “happy” rather than “blessed” as the introductory word to each of the eight beatitudes. But the original derives from a root which has deeper meaning than mere happiness. Therefore, the King James “blessed” is preferable. It refers to spiritual blessedness relative to godly attributes. We may think of it as being spiritually enriched as the result of possessing the named attributes. As children of faith, we are inheritors of the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant. (See Genesis 12:1-3; 22:17, 18; Galatians 3:16-18; and Hebrews 6:13-20.)
The genuine spiritual blessedness of the beatitudes has to do with character shown in conduct. Goodness of conduct is resident only in genuine goodness of character. It has been truly said, “REPUTATION is what men and women think of us; CHARACTER is what God and the angels know of us.” True character is not a matter of the human will. It inspires godly conduct. God’s promised “blessings” rest on character; and God is never deceived.
KEY TEXT: “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:2).
Matthew 5:3-6
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteous ness; for they shall be filled.
| "Nothing to the cross I bring, simply to thy cross I cling!"-Rock of Ages |
I. BLESSED POVERTY!
A. The Attribute’s Characteristics: By virtue of regeneration and the new birth, the beatific attributes have become innate characteristics of the child of God. Therefore, it is a Spirit-endowed characteristic of the true believer to be “poor in spirit.” This is a poverty to be happy about! It means to be emptied of self and filled with Christ. What a blessed poverty! “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it” (Prov. 10:22).
One who is “poor is spirit” acknowledges his fleshly destitution and wretchedness. He therefore has abandoned all confidence in his own self-righteousness and capabilities, and has placed his full trust in the merits of Jesus Christ for justification, and in God’s grace for sanctification. (Read Luke 18:9-14; the parable of the self-righteous Pharisee and the sinner-publican.) Humility is perhaps the first characteristic of the “poor in spirit.” David described this virtue in his trial as he was driven from Abimelech the Philistine king, as he was chased out of Israel by Saul "This poor man cried and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles" (Psa 34:6). Moreover, Isaiah describes the type of people the LORD is looking for to use to build his house, and promote the kingdom of God. “ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word (Isa 66:1-2)
B. Its Rewards: Jesus indicates that citizenship in the kingdom of heaven is assured to the poor in spirit; that the kingdom is made up on such. By faith in Christ’s work for us on Calvary, we repent, believe and embrace the gospel, and enter the invisible kingdom of God. We enjoy its blessings in this life while we await the visible kingdom to be set up here on earth with Christ on the throne following the Millennium. (Read Isaiah 9:6,7; Luke 1:32; and Acts 2:29, 30.) That kingdom “shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44, 45).
II. BLESSED MOURNING
A. Mourning’s Character: It seems paradoxical that mourning should be a blessing; especially since the “sermon” is addressed principally to “disciples,” or believers. While believers need not weep with conviction of sin, they often weep at the remembrance of their sins. Having received forgiveness, the weeping is a mingled joy and regret. We should mourn over a lost world which refuses to hear our message of peace and joy. In the eyes of God, there is virtue in our godly concern and sorrow for sinners that He loves. Jesus was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3) because of men’s rejection of Himself and the redemption He purchased for them.
B. Its Rewards: The soul is truly burdened and grieved over the lost—loved ones and “all men”—could not bear that sorrow were it not for the intervening comfort of an understanding Father. Here in this life we have Jesus’ invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Then, there is the heavenly comfort, eternal after this life is past. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psa. 126:5, 6). Even now we rejoice over the fruit of our labors and tears, but think of the bliss of seeing those “sheaves” with us in heaven! (Read Revelation 21:1-7.)
III. BLESSED MEEKNESS
A. The Character of Meekness: Meekness is related poverty of spirit and godly mourning. The true disciple will learn from his Master, who said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Malt. 11:29). Meekness is characterized by gentleness and patient longsuffering. One definition is: “Easily imposed upon; not inclined to anger or resentment.” However, the meek are not cowardly. They feel godly displeasure at sin without being taken over by carnal anger. They are full of forgiveness and empty of vengeance.
B. Its Rewards: David contrasted the rewards of the wicked with those of the meek. (Read Psalm 37:1-11.) The Old Testament promises concerning the earth usually referred to Israel’s inheritance of the Promised Land. Today, this earth does have a many good things for those who will them properly. Jesus probably had these things in mind, knowing that the earth which now is shall be destroyed. Even more probable, He referred to the “new earth, wherein dwelleth [only] righteousness” (II Peter 3:33; Rev. 21:1).
IV. BLESSED HUNGER AND THIRST!
A. The Characteristic: This hunger thirst is the believer’s yearning for more of God’s righteousness. Relative to his salvation, he is already accounted righteous through justification by faith. (Read Galatians 3:6, 26; James 2:23.) But the regenerated “inner man” responds to that grace by living to please his Redeemer. (See I John 3:1-3.) Again we have Christ’s invitation, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37).
B. Its Rewards: Along with His invitation, we have His promise: “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35; also verses 47-51). He had already spoken His beatitude promise—”...they shall be filled.” It is clear that more than mere happiness is intended, but an internal craving to be like Jesus.
LIVING THE LESSON
These first four attributes bestowed upon the sincere Christian are blessed indeed. Once more, they show good conduct because of the God-given goodness of character. They are the answer of the heart to justification by faith, regeneration, sanctification, and the indwelling Holy Ghost. Without this spontaneous answer, the “professor” would do well to re-examine his “possession.”
Fleshly substitutions of “learned piety” will not pass the final test. Thrills and “frothy” blessings are not acceptable. Only “the real thing” will merit the promised rich reward. Millions in one’s bank account cannot equate the riches of “poverty in spirit.” Solomon found that “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting.. .The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning: but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth” (Eccl. 7:2, 4). God beautifies the meek with salvation (Psa. 149:40), and Peter declares “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit” to be preferable adornment to the vanity of outward decoration (I Peter 3:3, 4). Lastly, if we would live this sermon, we will maintain a constant hunger and thirst for “the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” knowing that every necessary temporal thing will be supplied. (See Matthew 6:33.)
If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
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If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
If you enjoyed this blogpost and believe some else can be helped and may be blessed pass it along:
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