The Beatitudes and Their Meanings - Study of Matthew 5
Now when JESUS saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him and He began to teach them. This is a message that we need today to understand how God expects us to live and the message He wants our lives to convey to others. It conveys the "attitudes" we should "be". All of these character traits are marks and goals of all Christians. We can aspire to possess all of these spiritual attributes. This workshop/retreat gives insight to the meaning and application of the Beatitudes as JESUS taught so that women can embrace these heart attitudes in their lives. Expanded content under each Beatitude.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
What does it mean to be "blessed" or "happy" in this context? Poor in spirit is an absolute prerequisite for receiving the kingdom of heaven, that without God we are spiritually bankrupt. We live the Christian life in the power of the Holy Spirit and His life being conformed in us.
The godly reaction to poverty of spirit: mourning.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Those who mourn can know something of God; the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10), and a closeness to the own who was acquainted with grief and sorrow. (Isaiah 53:3).
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Learn how to live a life with controlled strength. Living a life meek before God, submitting to His will and conformed to His Image through the knowledge of the Word of God. Living meekly before people with the fruit of the Spirit being humble, gentle, patient and long-suffering. (Exodus 23:30)
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
It is not enough to know that our sin is forgiven. We have a fountain of life within us that is meant to long for the things of God that He might fill us to be fully sanctified to be made more holy and continue in God's righteousness and promote righteousness in the world.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
As we have received the mercy of God in our lives we learn to be gracious and merciful to others, ready to forgive and becoming a restorer of relationships. Learning the ABC's of life by acceptance of ourselves and others, believing the best and casting off negative thoughts will promote mercy in life experiences and relationships.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Living in alignment with what the Bible teaches and having an undivided heart to be completely devoted and committed to God. What does it mean to have a pure heart? How does a person with a pure heart view others?
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Our life has peace when it is submitted to JESUS. Though we may be ill-treated by man, the believer is blessed by God and walks in truth for peace and reconciliation, breaking down the walls between God and man. True peace is found when we surrender our lives to God. What is the difference between a peacemaker and a peacekeeper?
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Early Christians heard many enemies say all kinds of evil against them falsely for JESUS' sake. They were not accused for doing bad things but good. How do we stand in this day and age with the good values and character expressed in these Beatitudes when it is so opposite to the world's manner of thinking?
