THE BEATITUDES (Part 3)
FOREWORD
We have studied four of the “blessings” with which Jesus introduced His great sermon. We have seen that these blessings are spiritual attributes, or virtues, which characterize a true child of God, or disciple of Christ. They are attributes of “the new man” after “the old man” has been put off. (See Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9, 10, and II Corinthians 5:17.) There is no virtue in merely trying to obey the beatitudes without having been changed from nature to grace. In other words, there is no saving power in a mechanical obedience, even though good morals are not to be despised. However, good morals are often used of the devil to hinder the individual from seeing his need of trusting Christ’s work for us for justification and redemption; for that internal change that makes all things to become new.
KEY TEXT: “Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile” (Psalm 32:2; see also Romans 4:5-8).
Matthew 5:7-12
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs’ is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
I. THE BLESSED MERCIFUL
A. Characteristics of the Merciful: Beginning with this fifth beatitude, Jesus turns more directly to the disciple’s relation to others. MERCY is defined as: “Compassion and pity for the guilty and undeserving; kindness in excess of what might be expected or demanded by fairness; forbearance; clemency.” Therefore, “the merciful” are charitably inclined to show compassion and pity toward, and to extend assistance and sympathy to, those who are actually not worthy of kind treatment in a given circumstance.
Luke shows us the source of true mercy: “Be ye therefore merciful, even as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36). And the Father’s great mercy is gloriously demonstrated in the fulfillment of the “new covenant” He promised through the Prophet Jeremiah, the essence of which was, and is: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Heb. 8:12; see Jeremiah 31:31-34). All men, depraved in Adam, stand guilty before a just and holy God, utterly undeserving of His mercy and pardon. Yet, He has intervened in our behalf by giving His Son to reconcile us to God. “...It behooved him [Christ] to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest. ..to make reconciliation for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17). Peter extends this blessing to the Church, “which in time past was not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now hath obtained mercy.” (See I Peter 2:9, 10.)
B. The Rewards: The merciful “shall obtain mercy.” In fact, Peter has shown that we have already obtained mercy. Now it is ours to show mercy to others. “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgement” (James 2:13). One translation reads: “...the person who shows mercy can stand without fear at the judgment.”
II. THE BLESSED PURE IN HEART
A. Character of the Pure: “Pure” means: “free from anything that adulterates, taints, impairs, etc. Unmixed; free from defects; perfect; faultless. Free from sin or guilt; chaste.” This definition characterizes the true believer who has availed himself of God’s purifying provision. “Pure in heart” is equivalent to holiness—”without which no man shall see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). Though this thorough purification is impossible apart from the sanctifying grace of God through the application of the blood of Christ, the individual is not free of responsibility. We are admonished to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (II Cor. 7:11). This is not a grievous requirement for a conscientious child of God. (See I John 5:2-4.) It is simply a joyous response to God’s redeeming love and grace.
B. The Rewards of the Pure: Though it is written that “No man hath seen God [physically, with the natural eye] at any time” (John 1:18), the full meaning of the word “see” helps to rightly divide the word of truth. “See” also means to mentally comprehend or understand; to discern by spiritual contemplation or revelation. For example, one must be born again to “see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Also, we sometimes “see” one thing, or person, through another. Jesus said to Philip, “...he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). The “pure in heart” see God by faith, as citizens of his kingdom and church. Again, one must be holy in order to “see the Lord,” or to spiritually discern Him.
III. BLESSED PEACEMAKERS
A. Peacemaker Characterized: As servants of the Prince of Peace, Christians love and appreciate peace. Knowing the blessedness thereof, they desire that others share it too. First, the peacemaker may do the work of an evangelist, encouraging the lost—the wicked who have no peace (Isa. 57:21)—to be reconciled to God. Then, wherever the devil has been successful in breaking peace between brethren, it is the burden of the peacemaker’s heart to restore the happy relationship. It requires God-given wisdom; even just plain tact, lest godly concern be interpreted as meddling.
B. The Rewards: Having received Christ as Saviour and Lord, the believer has been given the power to become the sons of God. (John 1:12). Having been led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God, and the Spirit so bears witness. Furthermore, they are joint-heirs with Christ, the only begotten Son of God. (See Romans 8:14-17.) Paul was a peacemaker through Christ’s work of reconciliation. He counted himself and his fellow-Christians as ambassadors for Christ, beseeching others to be reconciled to God (Read II Corinthians 5:19, 20). Possibly our role as peacemakers is one of the most valid proofs in the eyes of the world that we are Christians, so that they will call us “sons of God.”
IV. BLESSED PERSECUTION
A. Characteristics of the Persecuted: The word “persecute” means: “To afflict or harass constantly so as to injure or distress, especially for reasons of religion.” Jesus says that is “blessed” to be persecuted as a believer in Him. He Himself was well acquainted with affliction and harassment. He was “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev.13:8). When He came into the world in the body the Father had given Him, He knew that He had come to be the acceptable Sacrifice to fulfill the animal sacrifices which only temporarily pleased God (Read Heb. 10:1-10 with Psalm 40:6-8). Paul has written, “...All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Timothy 3:12); also that “we are appointed thereunto” (I Thess. 3:3).
B. The Rewards: Again as with the first beatitude, “theirs’ is the kingdom of heaven.” Is this not the reward we are striving for? Is it not worth it all? “…If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (II Tim. 2:12). Paul had suffered much for the gospel of Christ, but he was determined to “attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Phil. 3:5-14).
LIVING THE LESSON 3
Having been to the mercy seat ourselves, we stand ready to show mercy to our debtors (Read Matthew 18:23-35). Having been saved and cleansed by the precious blood, we respond with purity of heart. While it is sometimes a ‘thankless effort” to labor as peacemakers, we continue as ambassadors of reconciliation, for Jesus’ sake. And, even though our Christian lifestyle convicts and angers sinners so that they persecute, and hate us, because they hate Him, we gladly endure it all as “partakers of Christ’s suffering” (Read I Peter 4:12-16).
Let us never accept these “blessings” in the spirit of vainglory, or self-righteous pride. Let us rather rejoice that we can approach the Father on the merits of the Son’s rich providences, remaining humbly thankful that for His sake we are counted righteous.
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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