beatitudes – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

If the church is ever to change the world

I have often read the beatitudes as things applying to individual Christians.

As I read it today, though, I thought about the church? Can we say these things of the church today?

Are we a church of the poor in spirit, people living each day in humble dependence on the grace of God?

Are we a church of people who have known and do know mourning, but also know Christ’s comfort?

Are we a church of the humble and gentle? Or of the proud and combative?

Are we a church that hungers and thirsts for righteousness? That weeps at and repents of its sin and rejoices in what is good?

Are we a church that is merciful? Or simply a church that rails at the sin around it?

Are we a church that is pure in heart, wholly devoted to our Savior?

Are we a church of peacemakers? People who reconcile people with their God and people with each other?

Are we a church of those who are sometimes persecuted for righteousness’ sake? Or does the world love us all the time because we think just like them?

If not, consider the words of Jesus.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty?

It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. (Matthew 5:13)

How many churches have lost their taste and no longer flavor the world?

Is it any wonder that the world is in the shape it is in?

You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (14-16)

Sermon on the Mount: A whole new way of thinking

As we look at the Beatitudes one last time, it strikes me that it is an entirely different way of thinking from the way the world thinks.

Many think that it is the ultra-religious who are blessed by God. That you have to be on a special spiritual plane in order to be blessed by God.

But Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” That God looks with favor on those who are spiritually bankrupt.

More than that, he looks with favor on those who realize they are spiritually bankrupt. Because when we do, we realize our need for grace. And it is at that point, that we can be saved.

The world thinks that it’s those who find happiness in this life that are blessed. And so they subscribe the old axiom, “If it feels good, do it.”

But Jesus says that it is when we mourn over the sin in our lives, and over the pain that sin causes in this world that we find blessedness. Because only then can we find his transforming power in our lives and in the world around us.

The world teaches that it is those who take the bull by the horn, who take control of their own lives that are blessed.

But Jesus says, we are blessed when we submit our lives to God in everything, through the good and bad. To trust in his goodness and his judgment. And when we do, we’ll find a life that truly works.

The world says, “Blessed are those who can do whatever they want. Who do whatever they can to bring happiness into their lives.”

But Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after what is right.”

It’s not always easy, nor is it always pleasurable. But only in doing so will we find true satisfaction.

The world proclaims, “Look out for number one. Step on whoever you have to in order to achieve your goals.”

But Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful. Look to the needs of others above your own.”

This can especially be seen in forgiveness, where you stop focusing on yourself and the pain you’ve received, and you focus on the hurt and the needs of the person who hurt you.

And when we do that, we become like Jesus who prayed for his enemies saying, “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.”

The world teaches that morals are relative. That we can’t judge another’s morals. That all moral codes are equal.

But Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart. For it is only they who understand God’s holiness, who will see God.”

The world says, “Mind your own business. Don’t get involved. Live and let live. All roads lead to God.”

Jesus says, “It is those who go out as ambassadors and preach the gospel, who help bring peace between God and the people around them that are sons and daughters of God.

And it is those who help bring peace between others that prove themselves to be like their Heavenly Father who brought peace between himself and us.”

The world believes that if everyone likes you, you are blessed.

Jesus teaches that we can’t please everyone. That there is only one who is worth pleasing, and that is God. That’s who we need to seek to please.

The kingdom of God has a radically different way of thinking from the way the world thinks. But if we’ll embrace it, we’ll find what life truly is all about.

So as Paul encourages us,

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)