Welcome to Part 1 of The Beatitudes chapter
Table of Contents
- Blessed are the poor in spirit
- Blessed are they that mourn
- Blessed are the meek
- Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
In the days of Christ the religious leaders of the people felt that they were spiritually reach. They had need of nothing and had turned from the gracious gift of the grace and righteousness of Christ.
There is no room for Jesus in their proud hearts. They feel that they are full and do not ask and receive the blessing of God. Therefore they go away empty.
The poor in spirit are those who:
- know that they cannot save themselves
- of themselves can’t do any righteous action
- appreciate Christ’s help.
They have been moved by the convicting Spirit of God, saying – God be merciful to me a sinner. Luke 8:13.
Furthermore, they are blessed with forgiveness, for Christ is the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29.
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven – the spiritual kingdom of His love, grace and righteousness.
Therefore, those who:
- have a sense of their deep soul poverty
- feel that they have nothing good in themselves
may find righteousness and strength by looking unto Jesus.
Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength…In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. Isaiah 45:24, 25.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted
It is true and hearty sorrow for sin.
I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. John 12:32.
As humans are drawn to behold Jesus uplifted on the cross, they:
- discern the sinfulness of humanity
- understand that it is sin that crucified the Lord of glory
- see that their lives have been a continual scene of ingratitude and rebellion
- have forsaken their best Friend and abused heaven’s most precious Gift
- have crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh and pierced anew that bleeding and stricken heart.
Thus they are separated from God by sin that is broad, black and deep, and they mourn in brokenness of heart.
Such mourning shall be comforted. Christ does it.
God reveals to us our guilt that we may flee to Him and be set free from the bondage of sin, and rejoice in the liberty of the sons of God.
Furthermore, this message of comfort is for those also who are suffering affliction. When He permits trials and afflictions, it is for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. Hebrews 12:10.
If received by faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing.
This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth
Jesus places meekness among the first qualifications for His kingdom.
Those who have:
- felt their need of Christ
- mourned because of sin
- sat with Christ in the school of affliction
will learn meekness from the divine Teacher. Jesus emptied Himself and in all that He did, self did not appear. He subordinated all things to the will of His Father.
Therefore, He bids us, Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart. If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself. Matthew 11:29; Matthew 16:24. Let self be dethroned and no longer hold the supremacy of the soul.
Thus when we receive Christ as an abiding guest in the soul, the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
He says to us, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest. John 14:27; Matthew 11:29.
Lowliness of heart, that meekness which is the fruit of abiding in Christ is the true secret of blessing. He will beautify the meek with salvation. Psalm 149:4.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled
Righteousness is:
- holiness – likeness to God – It is conformity to the Law of God, for all Thy commandments are righteousness; Psalm 119:172, and love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:10.
- love – likeness to God – God is love. 1 John 4:16. Love is the light and the life of God.
The righteousness of God is embodied in Christ. We receive righteousness by receiving Him.
It is freely given to every soul who hungers and thirsts to receive it. Their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord; Isaiah 54:17.
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.
As we discern the perfection of our Saviour’s character we shall desire to become wholly transformed and renewed in the image of His purity.
To Jesus, who emptied Himself for the salvation of lost humanity, the Holy Spirit was given without measure. So it will be given to every follower of Christ when the whole heart is surrendered for His indwelling.
He has given the command, Be filled with the Spirit; Ephesians 5:18, which is also a promise of its fulfillment.
For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; And ye are complete in Him. Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:10.
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Continue with The Beatitudes – Part 2 »
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Next Chapter: The Spirituality of the Law »
References:
- DA 298 – The Ellen G. White Estate
- King James Bible Version (KJV)
Why Wait Longer?
Your Creator And Redeemer Longs For You – Take Him At His Word
Learn to trust in God’s love and His power to save and restore His moral image in you.
The Spirit of God is pleading with you to seek for those things that alone can give you peace and rest – the grace of Christ and the joy of holiness.
Give to Christ your guilt and fear today. He can satisfy the craving of your heart. Believe the Son of God.
His hand is stretched out still. Why wait longer?
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