Matthew 5:8-12

 

The Beatitudes Matthew 5:8-12

 

:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see GOD.” Oswald Chambers commented on this verse, “If the spiritual bloom of our life with GOD is getting impaired in the tiniest degree, we must stop everything and get it put right. Vision depends on character ‘the pure in heart’ see GOD.” My Utmost For His Highest, Garborg’s Heart ‘N Home, Inc., 1988

The imperative is on us to maintain our pure relationship with GOD! David wrote in Psalm 15, “LORD, who may abide in your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your Holy Hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not back bite with his tongue (Exodus 20:16), nor does evil to his neighbor (Exodus 20:17), nor does he take up reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear The LORD; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change; he who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.” Peter said it this way in 1 Peter 1:1-12, “…Grace and Peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of GOD and of JESUS our LORD…as His Divine Power has given us all things that pertain to Life and godliness…But also for this reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance (patience), to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love…Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble…” If you want to be pure in heart make Psalm 15 and 1 Peter 1:1-12 part of your life.

 

:9 “Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called sons of GOD.” Here is a thought: “But as many as received Him, to them He Gave the Right (Authority) to become children of GOD, to those who believe in His Name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of GOD.” “Repay no one evil for evil. Have (Provide good) regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with Good.” John 1:12-13. Romans 12:17-21 (Psalm 34:14).

 

:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” The poor in spirit and the persecuted for righteousness both receive The Kingdom of Heaven, those who the world looks on as lowly, vermin, not worthy to live. But GOD lifts up the lowly, shelters the downtrodden and Blesses those who are persecuted for His Names sake. Psalm 103:6-8 “The LORD executes righteousness and Justice for all who are oppressed…The LORD is Merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in Mercy.”

 

:11-12 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly Glad, for Great is your Reward in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” This is hard for most Christians, we do not want to suffer or be persecuted, but JESUS told us we would be: Matthew 10, the whole chapter, vss. 34-36 “Do not think that I have come to bring Peace on earth. I did not come to bring Peace but a Sword. For I have come to set (alienate a man from) a man against his father…and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.”

What is that Sword? Ephesians 6:17 “And take the Helmet of Salvation, and The Sword of The SPIRIT which is The Word of GOD;” Hebrews 4:12 “For the Word of GOD is Living and Powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of the soul and spirit, and of joins and marrow, and is a discerner of the thought and intent of the heart.” Revelation 19:11-21 “Now I saw Heaven opened and behold a white horse. And He Who sat on it was called Faithful and True, and in Righteousness He Judges and makes war…Now out of His mouth goes a Sharp Sword, that with it He should strike the nations…And the rest were killed with the Sword which proceeds from the mouth of Him Who sat on the white horse…” The Apostles wrote about our sufferings and persecutions; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; James 1:2-8; 1 Peter 4:12-19.

 

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