The first section of the Sermon of the Mount is the Beatitudes. There are eight beatitudes and they describe the attitudes that ought to be in our lives if we are true Christians. (Mat 5:1-10)
“BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: Those who depend on God and not on their own abilities. (John 15:5) . . . without Me you can do nothing.
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED. Describes those who grieve over their sins. (James 4:9-10) Lament and mourn and weep . . . 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH. Not self-willed, but living humbly before others (me-ek!) and letting God prosper in His time. (Psa 37:11) But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED. Those who possess a spiritual appetite and a keen desire to be pleasing to God. (Psa 42:1-2) As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God . . .
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY. Those who are moved by the sufferings of others and seek to alleviate their distresses. (Psa 18:25) With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful . . .
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD. Those whose minds and motives are wholesome and unpolluted. (Psa 24:3-4) Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart . . .
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD. Those who are instruments of peace in the world and overcome evil with good. (James 3:18) Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. People possessing these beatitudes would naturally stand out in a crowd and would take flak for being different. (2 Tim 3:12) Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
THE BE-ATTITUDES. Are these the values that you want to be in your life? If that’s the case, then look out because your life is going to be BLESSED!
Louie