Matthew 5:1-12
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
5 Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him.
2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 Blessed (happy, [a]to be envied, and [b]spiritually prosperous—[c]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!
4 Blessed and enviably happy [with a [d]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!
5 Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, [e]spiritually prosperous—[f]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!
6 Blessed and fortunate and happy and [g]spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God [h]enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be [i]completely satisfied!
7 Blessed (happy, [j]to be envied, and [k]spiritually prosperous—[l]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!
8 Blessed (happy, [m]enviably fortunate, and [n]spiritually prosperous—possessing the [o]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!
9 Blessed (enjoying [p]enviable happiness, [q]spiritually prosperous—[r]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and [s] maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!
10 Blessed and happy and [t]enviably fortunate and [u]spiritually prosperous [v](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!
11 Blessed (happy, [w]to be envied, and [x]spiritually prosperous—[y]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. 12 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.
As Christians, we have heard Jesus' beatitude teaching, but do we pause long enough to consider how to apply them to our lives?
These attitudes are counter culture in today's American society, and may be seen as a sign of weakness rather than strength. Society at large shouts,
"You must promote yourself or you'll never advance."
"Don't feel bad about that sin. Everybody is doing it. That is an outdated notion, we have evolved past its restriction."
"Hunger and devote your time towards making your mark. Righteousness gets in the way of advancement."
"Revenge is sweet."
"Did you know what was said about you? I'd tell her a thing or two if I'd be you."
"She's a Christian. She thinks she's too good for us. She's a "holy roller" an extremist!"
"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! That's all he talks about."
Friends, if we modify our (be) attitudes to fit into today's society, we forfeit the blessings, which Jesus intended for us.
- The Kingdom of heaven!
- Comfort!
- Our inheritance!
- Righteousness!
- Mercy!
- Seeing God!
- Sonship!
- The Kingdom of heaven (again)!
- Reward!
Holy Spirit, empower me to be counter culture with an attitude pleasing to Jesus! AMEN!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment