Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Only those who have first tasted peace with God at the cross of Christ can become peacemakers. - James M. Boice The peace intended is not merely that of political and economic stability, as in the Greco-Roman world, but peace in the … Continue reading Reflections on Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Beatitudes
Reflections on “The Poor in Spirit”
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3) The sermon on the Mount describes what human life and human community looks like when they come under the gracious rule of King Jesus… Still today the indispensable condition of receiving the kingdom of God is to acknowledge our spiritual poverty… Thus, … Continue reading Reflections on “The Poor in Spirit”
Prayer of Confession of Sin – The Beatitudes
CONFESSION OF SIN O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy; Be gracious to us for we have gone astray from your ways. Create in us new and contrite hearts, that we may now truly lament and confess our sins to You. Blessed are the poor in spirit. But in our pride we … Continue reading Prayer of Confession of Sin – The Beatitudes
Jesus’ Beatitudes & the Virtue of Humility
Of all the virtues Christ commended in the Beatitudes, it is significant that the first is humility, being 'poor in spirit' (Matthew 5:3). The virtue of humility (the blessed gift of self-forgetfulness) underlies all the others: You cannot mourn (5:4) without appreciating how insufficient you are to handle life in your own strength. That is … Continue reading Jesus’ Beatitudes & the Virtue of Humility
Our Relentless Quest: Happiness
Many have shot wide of the mark in seeking blessedness. It cannot be found in worldly things, but how ready is man to place happiness in them. The tree of blessedness does not grow in an earthly paradise. God cursed the ground for sin, yet many are digging for happiness there and seeking a blessing out … Continue reading Our Relentless Quest: Happiness
Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for the Sake of Righteousness
Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. - Acts 14:22 No other faith of mankind, religious or political, has quite so extensive a record of violent bitter opposition to its growth than the Christian church. - Kenneth Scott Latourette It may seem strange that Jesus should pass from peacemaking to persecution, from … Continue reading Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for the Sake of Righteousness
Using the Beatitudes to Confess Your Sins
Blessed Jesus, you offered us all your blessings when you announced... “Blessed are the poor in spirit” — but we have been rich in pride. “Blessed are those who mourn” — but we have not known much sorrow for our sin. Blessed are the meek” — but we are a stiff-necked people. “Blessed are those … Continue reading Using the Beatitudes to Confess Your Sins
Reflections on “Blessed are the Merciful”
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 5:7) “Teach me to feel another's woe, To hide the fault I see, That mercy I to others show, That mercy show to me.” - Alexander Pope English poet (1688-1744) O Christian, know your condition - the misery and the mercy. And let the horror … Continue reading Reflections on “Blessed are the Merciful”
Reflections on “Blessed are the meek!”
Christ was master of the paradox. His teaching is salted with shining contrasts like: Last is first, giving is receiving, dying is living, losing is finding, least is greatest, poor is rich, weakness is strength, serving is ruling. For Christ, paradoxes were an especially effective way of getting people to see essential spiritual truth – … Continue reading Reflections on “Blessed are the meek!”
Happy Are Those Who Are Poor in Spirit – A Few Reflections and A Prayer
The Sermon on the Mount describes what human life and human community looks like when they come under the gracious rule of King Jesus… Still today the indispensable condition of receiving the kingdom of God is to acknowledge our spiritual poverty… Thus, to be ‘poor in spirit’ is to acknowledge our spiritual poverty, indeed our … Continue reading Happy Are Those Who Are Poor in Spirit – A Few Reflections and A Prayer
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