THE BEATITUDES
Be Of This Attitude
The beatitudes are the first part of Matthew 5, and a significant part of the Sermon on the Mount which is considered to be Matthew 5, 6 and 7 which many believe that Jesus taught about it for days, not just hours. I believe Jesus was bringing the Old Testament into New Testament light. Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). Through the teachings of Jesus, we find the deeper meanings of the original Law, revealing the true heart of God and the way we as believers need to be. Jesus taught how we can become Christlike and pleasing to the Father. Matthew 5, 6 and 7 are believed by many to be three of the most important chapters of the entire New Testament. In these chapters we find, the beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer and Jesus showing us how to have the right heart. For example in Matthew 5:27-28, the Lord said that the Law says not to commit adultery but whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Having the right heart is everything. Right actions will come from a right heart.
It is important to note that a similar teaching is also found in Luke 6:20-26. When a minister preaches in many places, they often convey the same message or important elements of it, that they feel is important or especially relevant. It may be that the message in Luke was from the same time as Matthew 5 (with Luke choosing to convey the testimonies he gleaned from various eyewitnesses) or it may be that Jesus spoke the teaching in two places or even more, because it was important. We only have a fraction of the ministry of Jesus recorded. In all likelihood, Jesus conveyed much more to the people at the Sermon on the Mount, than even Matthew recorded.
Matthew, who was an eyewitness, begins the Sermon on the Mount with, “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.” (Matthew 5:1). Does this mean, Jesus went up high, so that He could teach the multitudes from there? Or He left the multitudes to go and teach the disciples? By the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew records:
And follows with, (remember, chapter and verse were added later):
This means that no matter how many people Jesus started with, by the end of His message there were great multitudes.
The word “beatitude” comes from the Latin word of the Latin Vulgate Bible, “beatitudo,” meaning "blessedness." While the Latin “beatitudo” is meaning “blessedness,” when it is seen in English, many of us take it as, “be of this attitude.” Each beatitude begins with "blessed are." Blessed in this usage comes from the Greek “makarioi” meaning “happy, blessed, to be envied. A prolonged form of the poetical makar; supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off,” according to Strong's. Additionally, Helps Words Studies, says that makários ("blessed") describes a believer in enviable ("fortunate") position from receiving God's provisions (favor) – which (literally) extend ("make long, large") His grace (benefits).
To those of the world, the following first beatitude might seem quite strange or impossible.
As the Amplified Version breaks the words down deeper, let us consider the same verse in it, as it emphasizes the real meaning of “blessed.”
If we never realize that we are poor in the spirit, then we are doomed. Consider what Jesus later said to the Laodicean Church in the book of Revelation.
The first step to salvation is realizing we need a Savior and how poor we are without Him. And in order to stay in right standing with the Lord, we must never forget it. We desperately need the Lord. Even once we are born-again Christians. Blessed to be poor! Oh yes! The values of the Lord are drastically different than the values of the secular world. And more than likely, even seem foolish to non-believers, just as we see in the following verses.
When we lay down our life for the Lord, it is the best decision we could ever make. We get true life in Christ in return. But if we refuse the Lord’s offer and hang on to selfishness, we forfeit true life in Christ. Truly losing the old life for the wonderful life we have in Christ Jesus, is finding it. And should we ever have to choose literally, to die for the Lord or His Name sake, we will find an even greater blessing.
Happy are those who mourn? Oh yes in the Kingdom of the Lord, this type of mourning is about sin. We must first realize we need a Savior and we must be sorry for our sins with a repentant heart! And oh what comfort comes when we realize how much we need Jesus and receive the pardon He has provided for us. We find comfort, relief, peace and more, when we have our sins washed away by the Lord.
In the secular world, being meek is usually frowned upon. Being meek is considered a weakness. But in the Kingdom of Heaven, meekness is quite different. It is being gentle, patient, and long suffering and coming from a place of strength, not weakness. Anyone can lose their calm. But blessed is the one whom the Holy Spirit helps be meek. There is so much joy in not sinning and having to repent. There is so much joy in being strong enough to keep one’s patience. And in so doing, the love of the Lord shines through us. And the evil ones will not inherit the earth, even if the wicked would try to eliminate every bit of righteousness from the face of the earth. Their end is in the pit of Hades, hell. Even if a Christian looks like a loser being kind, gentle and patient, they are not losing at all. They are advancing the love of God, and the reward is eternal!
Oh how blessed are the ones who hunger and thirst for righteousness and right standing with God. In realizing how much we need the Lord and in repenting from our wicked ways, we become born-again citizens of the kingdom of heaven. And by being humble, gentle, kind and patient, we walk in the ways of the Lord. We no longer have the same desires. It is literally like night and day. The joy of desiring the Lord and all He has, brings about a blessed and deep satisfaction that nothing in this world can compare to.
This mercy is grace! Grace is God’s love in action. We are to love others as He has loved us. The ones who obtain the Lord’s mercy, also pass it on. They find what real love and mercy is and in return, give mercy whether someone deserves it or not, because God did it for us. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. And those of us that give mercy, will have the mercy they also need. It could also be said that those who do not give mercy, will not obtain mercy (Matthew 6:14-15).
Wow. In being a true, born-again child of God and following the Lord in these Christlike beatitudes, we can actually become pure in heart and know God intimately and eternally. The carnal heart is evil. But the heart of the one who is truly born-again, living in right standing with God, seeking to please Him and truly loving others as Christ loved us, can be blessed beyond measure. Only through the trueness of salvation and the miracle of becoming temples of the Holy Spirit, is it possible. And the joy of having a pure heart and being intimate with the Lord, is really beyond expression.
A true Christian must be a peacemaker. This could be the kind of peace that comes from standing for what is right and helping keep things right and dealing with the hurt from when wrongs happened. But I think it is much more. When we become sons of God, we then help others become sons of God. Reconciliation is what it is all about. We find peace in our reconciliation with God and then we help others be reconciled to God also. I personally think this is the greatest kind of being a peacemaker there is on earth.
All true Christians are persecuted for righteousness sake at one time or another. The price of doing what is right, in the presence of those who do not have the same values, is costly. The wicked take pride in attacking righteousness and those who stand for it. But great is the reward for taking the persecution, the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who do.
Sometimes people look at this verse and the preceding one, and leave out “for righteousness’ sake” and/or “for the Lord’s sake.” These verses do not apply to just any kind of persecution or being reviled and falsely accused. The Lord will not let suffering for righteousness’ sake or for His sake, go without eternal reward. Some fear suffering for the Kingdom but the proper attitude is to pray that we are counted worthy of it. The world today does not have a problem with believers who claim to be Christians but live like the world. But they are in direct opposition to true biblical Christianity and are blatantly against those who know and stand for true righteousness and for the Lord. I cannot imagine what some of the heroes of the faith might think if they look down from heaven and see some of the cowardice of many alleged Christians of today. Blessed and highly favored of God are you when you are reviled, persecuted, and spoken evilly of for the Lord’s sake. Jesus said it and He treasures and rewards those who are faithful.
It may not seem like it at the time, when one is personally enduring persecution and attack, but one can be glad and even rejoice to be counted worthy to join in with those who were persecuted in the faith before us. God takes these matters seriously. Jesus suffered more than we can imagine or even bear to think of, and to this day, has never complained or tried to make anyone feel bad about it. Jesus did it for the Father, and He did it for us. We actually deserve the punishment of eternal hell and regret, and if we should suffer a little here on this earth, how pale it would be in comparison to how the Lord suffered for us, or what we actually deserve? And for those suffering for His sake, great is the reward. For those that do the persecuting, unless they repent, great is also what they will reap in the negative.
The beatitudes may seem quite simple and might sometimes be misunderstood, but they are so important to us as Christians. Jesus has shown us the way through the beatitudes. The Lord stayed in harmony with His Father by doing as He taught us. And we must stay in harmony with the Father also. The abundant life is found in loving God first and foremost while living our lives in the way Jesus has taught us. This is true and long lasting happiness, and the way to heaven.
It is important to note that a similar teaching is also found in Luke 6:20-26. When a minister preaches in many places, they often convey the same message or important elements of it, that they feel is important or especially relevant. It may be that the message in Luke was from the same time as Matthew 5 (with Luke choosing to convey the testimonies he gleaned from various eyewitnesses) or it may be that Jesus spoke the teaching in two places or even more, because it was important. We only have a fraction of the ministry of Jesus recorded. In all likelihood, Jesus conveyed much more to the people at the Sermon on the Mount, than even Matthew recorded.
Matthew, who was an eyewitness, begins the Sermon on the Mount with, “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.” (Matthew 5:1). Does this mean, Jesus went up high, so that He could teach the multitudes from there? Or He left the multitudes to go and teach the disciples? By the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew records:
- Matthew 7:28-29 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
And follows with, (remember, chapter and verse were added later):
- Matthew 8:1 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.
This means that no matter how many people Jesus started with, by the end of His message there were great multitudes.
The word “beatitude” comes from the Latin word of the Latin Vulgate Bible, “beatitudo,” meaning "blessedness." While the Latin “beatitudo” is meaning “blessedness,” when it is seen in English, many of us take it as, “be of this attitude.” Each beatitude begins with "blessed are." Blessed in this usage comes from the Greek “makarioi” meaning “happy, blessed, to be envied. A prolonged form of the poetical makar; supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off,” according to Strong's. Additionally, Helps Words Studies, says that makários ("blessed") describes a believer in enviable ("fortunate") position from receiving God's provisions (favor) – which (literally) extend ("make long, large") His grace (benefits).
To those of the world, the following first beatitude might seem quite strange or impossible.
- Matthew 5:3 (NKJV) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
As the Amplified Version breaks the words down deeper, let us consider the same verse in it, as it emphasizes the real meaning of “blessed.”
- Matthew 5:3 (AMP) "Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous— with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!"
If we never realize that we are poor in the spirit, then we are doomed. Consider what Jesus later said to the Laodicean Church in the book of Revelation.
- Revelation 3:17-18 “Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”
The first step to salvation is realizing we need a Savior and how poor we are without Him. And in order to stay in right standing with the Lord, we must never forget it. We desperately need the Lord. Even once we are born-again Christians. Blessed to be poor! Oh yes! The values of the Lord are drastically different than the values of the secular world. And more than likely, even seem foolish to non-believers, just as we see in the following verses.
- Matthew 16:25 “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
When we lay down our life for the Lord, it is the best decision we could ever make. We get true life in Christ in return. But if we refuse the Lord’s offer and hang on to selfishness, we forfeit true life in Christ. Truly losing the old life for the wonderful life we have in Christ Jesus, is finding it. And should we ever have to choose literally, to die for the Lord or His Name sake, we will find an even greater blessing.
- Matthew 5:4 (NKJV) “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
- Matthew 5:4 (AMP) "Blessed and enviably happy [with a happiness produced by the experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted!"
Happy are those who mourn? Oh yes in the Kingdom of the Lord, this type of mourning is about sin. We must first realize we need a Savior and we must be sorry for our sins with a repentant heart! And oh what comfort comes when we realize how much we need Jesus and receive the pardon He has provided for us. We find comfort, relief, peace and more, when we have our sins washed away by the Lord.
- Matthew 5:5 (NKJV) “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
- Matthew 5:5 (AMP) "Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous— with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth!"
In the secular world, being meek is usually frowned upon. Being meek is considered a weakness. But in the Kingdom of Heaven, meekness is quite different. It is being gentle, patient, and long suffering and coming from a place of strength, not weakness. Anyone can lose their calm. But blessed is the one whom the Holy Spirit helps be meek. There is so much joy in not sinning and having to repent. There is so much joy in being strong enough to keep one’s patience. And in so doing, the love of the Lord shines through us. And the evil ones will not inherit the earth, even if the wicked would try to eliminate every bit of righteousness from the face of the earth. Their end is in the pit of Hades, hell. Even if a Christian looks like a loser being kind, gentle and patient, they are not losing at all. They are advancing the love of God, and the reward is eternal!
- Matthew 5:6 (NKJV) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
- Matthew 5:6 (AMP) "Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!"
Oh how blessed are the ones who hunger and thirst for righteousness and right standing with God. In realizing how much we need the Lord and in repenting from our wicked ways, we become born-again citizens of the kingdom of heaven. And by being humble, gentle, kind and patient, we walk in the ways of the Lord. We no longer have the same desires. It is literally like night and day. The joy of desiring the Lord and all He has, brings about a blessed and deep satisfaction that nothing in this world can compare to.
- Matthew 5:7 (NKJV) “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
- Matthew 5:7 (AMP) "Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous— with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!"
This mercy is grace! Grace is God’s love in action. We are to love others as He has loved us. The ones who obtain the Lord’s mercy, also pass it on. They find what real love and mercy is and in return, give mercy whether someone deserves it or not, because God did it for us. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. And those of us that give mercy, will have the mercy they also need. It could also be said that those who do not give mercy, will not obtain mercy (Matthew 6:14-15).
- Matthew 5:8 (NKJV) “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
- Matthew 5:8 (AMP) "Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous—possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!"
Wow. In being a true, born-again child of God and following the Lord in these Christlike beatitudes, we can actually become pure in heart and know God intimately and eternally. The carnal heart is evil. But the heart of the one who is truly born-again, living in right standing with God, seeking to please Him and truly loving others as Christ loved us, can be blessed beyond measure. Only through the trueness of salvation and the miracle of becoming temples of the Holy Spirit, is it possible. And the joy of having a pure heart and being intimate with the Lord, is really beyond expression.
- Matthew 5:9 (NKJV) “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
- Matthew 5:9 (AMP) "Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous — with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!"
A true Christian must be a peacemaker. This could be the kind of peace that comes from standing for what is right and helping keep things right and dealing with the hurt from when wrongs happened. But I think it is much more. When we become sons of God, we then help others become sons of God. Reconciliation is what it is all about. We find peace in our reconciliation with God and then we help others be reconciled to God also. I personally think this is the greatest kind of being a peacemaker there is on earth.
- Matthew 5:10 (NKJV) “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
- Matthew 5:10 (AMP) "Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!"
All true Christians are persecuted for righteousness sake at one time or another. The price of doing what is right, in the presence of those who do not have the same values, is costly. The wicked take pride in attacking righteousness and those who stand for it. But great is the reward for taking the persecution, the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who do.
- Matthew 5:11 (NKJV) “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”
- Matthew 5:11 (AMP) "Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous — with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account."
Sometimes people look at this verse and the preceding one, and leave out “for righteousness’ sake” and/or “for the Lord’s sake.” These verses do not apply to just any kind of persecution or being reviled and falsely accused. The Lord will not let suffering for righteousness’ sake or for His sake, go without eternal reward. Some fear suffering for the Kingdom but the proper attitude is to pray that we are counted worthy of it. The world today does not have a problem with believers who claim to be Christians but live like the world. But they are in direct opposition to true biblical Christianity and are blatantly against those who know and stand for true righteousness and for the Lord. I cannot imagine what some of the heroes of the faith might think if they look down from heaven and see some of the cowardice of many alleged Christians of today. Blessed and highly favored of God are you when you are reviled, persecuted, and spoken evilly of for the Lord’s sake. Jesus said it and He treasures and rewards those who are faithful.
- Matthew 5:12 (NKJV) “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
- Matthew 5:12 (AMP) "Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you."
It may not seem like it at the time, when one is personally enduring persecution and attack, but one can be glad and even rejoice to be counted worthy to join in with those who were persecuted in the faith before us. God takes these matters seriously. Jesus suffered more than we can imagine or even bear to think of, and to this day, has never complained or tried to make anyone feel bad about it. Jesus did it for the Father, and He did it for us. We actually deserve the punishment of eternal hell and regret, and if we should suffer a little here on this earth, how pale it would be in comparison to how the Lord suffered for us, or what we actually deserve? And for those suffering for His sake, great is the reward. For those that do the persecuting, unless they repent, great is also what they will reap in the negative.
- James 1:12 (AMP) Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.
The beatitudes may seem quite simple and might sometimes be misunderstood, but they are so important to us as Christians. Jesus has shown us the way through the beatitudes. The Lord stayed in harmony with His Father by doing as He taught us. And we must stay in harmony with the Father also. The abundant life is found in loving God first and foremost while living our lives in the way Jesus has taught us. This is true and long lasting happiness, and the way to heaven.
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