The Blessing Of Be-ing - Having The Right Attitude

My Utmost For His Highest

Blessed are… —Matthew 5:3-11

{CHAMBERS} “When we first read the statements of Jesus, they seem wonderfully simple and unstartling, and they sink unnoticed into our subconscious minds. […] The literal interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount is as easy as child’s play. But the interpretation by the Spirit of God as He applies our Lord’s statements to our circumstances is the strict and difficult work of a saint. The teachings of Jesus are all out of proportion when compared to our natural way of looking at things, and they come to us initially with astonishing discomfort. We gradually have to conform our walk and conversation to the precepts of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit applies them to our circumstances. The Sermon on the Mount is not a set of rules and regulations— it is a picture of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is having His unhindered way with us.”

{ELGIN}  Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe was a pastor and prolific writer.  He wrote 50 books using the idea of what a Christian should “Be”.  Be Confident, Be Holy, Be Alert, Be Ready and so on.  The idea was that as  born again believers, the Bible charges us to let our light shine and how we walk out this life are the rays of that light.  There are 8 Beatitudes, Blessed are ….. the poor in spirit, they who mourn, the meek, they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Jesus was describing the Body of Christ living in a fallen world as He spoke, your life and the perspective that we should have as we live day to day.  A life that is submitted to the Spirit of God.  Consider the Beatitudes in the context of the fruit of the Spirit.  (Galatians 5:22-25) “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”  Jesus brought a new covenant .. a new life filled with grace and mercy. But it can only be lived by the power of the Spirit and the submission of our will to the Spirit.  We cannot and will not be successful in our new life by trying to live by our terms.  Jesus told Nicodemus .. “You must be born again by the Spirit.”  Don’t try to live the “right” life through self-effort … it is a failing proposition.