Proclamation:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit ... those who mourn ... the
meek ... those who hunger and thirst after righteousness ... the merciful ...
the pure in heart ... the peacemakers ... those who are persecuted ... you when
people insult you , persecute you and falsely say all kind of evil against you
because of Me. Rejoice, and be
exceedingly glad; for great is your reward in heaven ..." Matthew 5:1-12
(NIV)
Explanation:
These are the words of
Jesus, The Christ, which He spoke in His Sermon on The Mount as recorded under
the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew. Jesus taught His disciples and the crowd
which had gathered around them. The word
"Blessed" here literally means "happy, fortunate, and blissful",
the divinely bestowed well-being that belongs only to the faithful. The way to heavenly blessing is the opposite
of the way to the worldly pursuit of happiness which is found in riches,
merriment, abundance, leisure, and such things. (John MacArthur)
Application:
Believers of the gospel should displace a Christ-like attitude. Blessed are the people who possess Godly characteristics. Those with a penitent spirit, mild-tempered, gentle spirit, thirsting for righteousness, compassionate and merciful spirit, the spirit of mediation, long-suffering and forgiving spirit. These characteristics are God-given and are evidence of the indwelling of The Holy Spirit within the believer. We will be blessed for exhibiting these Godly attitudes and characteristics while we are here on earth living in a world that behaves totally differently. The spiritually poor will be blessed by The Word of God and receive joy and gladness on earth and in heaven. As will those who mourn for the sins of the world be blessed and comforted by The Holy Spirit of God. The meek, who are not easily provoked or angered but quietly and humbly submit to the will of God, will inherit the new earth when it comes into existence. Those who aggressively seek righteousness will be filled with it and with other good things such as joy and peace. Those who show mercy to others will receive mercy from The Lord God. The pure in heart, those who have the grace of God within their hearts, they will enjoy communion with Him in this life and they will behold His power and glory in the afterlife. Those who try to make and keep peace among men and exhibit the fruit of The Holy Spirit of God shall be known as the children of God. Those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness and their Godly conversation and behavior, will be blessed the same as the poor in spirit. To the Disciples of Christ, the students who study and live by His Holy Word, the world will reject them, falsely accuse them, and persecute them for His sake. To them He says “Rejoice” for great will be their reward in heaven.
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