In the previous meditation on the Be-attitudes, we mentioned that the one in Matthew 5:6 is central to the others. The first three outlines for us the way to experience our hunger and thirst for righteousness to be satisfied.
Now the remaining Be-attitudes point back to the one in Matthew 5:6. And give evidence that we are living Spirit-filled or controlled lives. In Matthew 5:7 we read, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Our God is a God of love, grace, and mercy. Grace is receiving from God what I don’t deserve. Mercy is not receiving from God what I do deserve. For example, in Romans 6:23 we read, “For the wages of sin is death, (or separation from the God who loves me. That’s what I deserve, but look what I receive when I receive Christ). BUT the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our LORD.”
One of the first characteristics of the person who is living a Spirit-controlled life is that he/she will show mercy to others. I have always loved Lamentations 3:22-23, where we read, “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS.”
The next evidence of a Spirit-filled/controlled life is found in Matthew 5:8,
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” God is invisible because He is a spirit-being. In Colossians 1:15, we read, “He (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” In 1 Timothy 1:17 the Apostle Paul wrote, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” In 1Timothy 6:16 Paul wrote, “Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.”
Even though God is invisible, praise God we can see Him as Christians through the eyes of faith. In John 14:9 Jesus said, “…He who has seen Me has seen the Father…” Our LORD is holy, pure, and undefiled. He is the express image of the Father. If you want to know what God is like, then embrace Jesus. Welcome Him into your life and you will experience an amazing glimpse of the Father. You will be blessed.
In Matthew 5:9 we read, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” What a privilege it is to become a member of God’s family, by faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:6 says, “to the praise of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” Jesus is the Beloved Son of God and we are accepted by the Father through faith in His Son. The word, “accepted” means “highly favored”. Let that sink in. God has provided a means whereby we can be “accepted” in His family. Jesus declared in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me.” A peacemaker is one who promotes unity in the family of God. These people are not made Sons of God because they are peacemakers. Rather, because they are peacemakers, they are called Sons of God. Peace is a fruit produced in the life of the believer by the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23). We probably all love peace, but Jesus didn’t say that ‘peace lovers’ would be blessed. Rather He said that ‘peacemakers will be blessed.’
David in Psalm 133:1 wrote, “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” When we are experiencing peace with God, we are motivated to promote peace with others and especially within the family of God. Such people will be blessed by God.
Lastly, Jesus said in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” If anyone ever lived a sinless, perfect life, it was Jesus Christ, and look how He was treated. He was definitely a peacemaker between man and God and between man and man. Ultimately, He was crucified. The Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:29 wrote, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ; not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake.” It is not always easy to be a peace-maker. Some people love to be cantankerous and stir the pot. They love to sow discord. Such a spirit shows that they do not hunger and thirst after righteousness and they will not be blessed. They will be held accountable by Jesus, our perfect Judge.
Our God is a lover and He loves to bless His people. In Genesis 12:2 He said to Abraham: “I will make you into a great nation. (that is something beyond yourself) and I will bless you.” Please note that at the end of that verse, God says, “and you will be a blessing.”
Folks, that is the way it works. God blesses us as we “hunger and thirst after righteousness.” As He blesses us, we are in turn to bless others. They will recognize and witness God’s favor on our lives and they will be drawn to know and serve Him as well.
I pray that each of us will be filled with all the fullness of God as we hunger and thirst to be filled with His righteousness.
Glory to God, Pastor Leonard
