The Beatitudes 8
Bible passage: Matthew 5:10
"10. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Dear brothers and sisters, The Beatitudes are God’s Word, the source of all blessings. Those who live by them will surely be blessed. But the blessings in the Beatitudes differ from what the world generally considers as blessings. While the world sees wealth as a blessing, the Beatitudes say, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." Rather than joy or happiness, Jesus says, "Blessed are those who mourn."
Rather than fullness or abundance, Jesus declares, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness." To some, this may sound unusual, but those who have heard the spiritual meaning in previous sessions likely understand that "the Beatitudes are the greatest, most eternal, and genuine blessings, far surpassing worldly blessings." This is because the Beatitudes offer spiritual blessings—salvation and the blessings of heaven—greater than the material blessings of wealth, health, familial harmony, fame, and power valued by the world. No matter how much wealth and glory you enjoy, it is far better to live as a beggar on earth and enter heaven than to face eternal torment in hell. The Beatitudes include not only spiritual blessings but also worldly blessings that people desire.
For those who embody them, God, the LORD of all, can grant abundant wealth, honor, and power. Blessings from God are eternal and unshaken, even in hardships. These blessings also bring glory in heaven. Achieving the Beatitudes means being richly blessed in both spirit and body, leaving nothing in the world to envy.
