Category Archives: Victorious Living

Victorious Living

Persecution for Righteousness’ Sake

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 (NKJ)

It’s been said that this beatitude is the most searching of all the Beatitudes.  This is because it forces believers to evaluate their “spiritual impact” on the world around them.  Persecution by definition is not desirous in that it includes harassing or oppressive treatment because of what one believes and/or how one lives.  Are you experiencing persecution for being a follower of Christ and His teachings?  If not, perhaps this beatitude will help you “let your little light shine more brightly” (Matt. 5:14-16).

What did Jesus mean when He spoke of persecution “for righteousness’ sake”?   As discussed earlier in this study, righteousness (dikaiosune) (dik-ah-yos-oo’-nay) means “to be in right standing and acceptable to God”.  This is reflected in godly thinking, feeling and acting.  To live righteously requires a “new nature” that God provided for us (2 Cor. 5:17)—a nature that is being conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). To be persecuted for righteousness’ sake infers that we are oppressed or suffer for being like Christ.

Righteousness is when we are “like Christ”.   Jesus was the supreme example of righteousness.  While we may desire to be righteous like Christ, we would prefer not to experience the persecution part of this beatitude.   But persecution was a frequent topic of Jesus as He prepared His disciples for what lie ahead. (John 15:18-20).

If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you.  If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world — therefore the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.

Kingdom living is righteous living.   The Beatitudes, as with all of Jesus’ teachings, turned the world upside down and challenged the status quo with all its sin and injustices. Jesus would reward the poor in spirit and those persecuted for righteousness’ sake with the kingdom of heaven.  For those who recognized their brokenness and sinful natures—those who mourned, were meek and hungered and thirst after righteousness, God offered through Jesus Christ an eternal inheritance, spiritual comfort and complete satisfaction.  Their new nature in Christ would cause them to be “Christ-like”—pure in heart, merciful, and peacemakers in an aggressive and unfriendly world.  Kingdom living, as outline in the Beatitudes, would result in persecution by the world.          

Those who choose to live godly in Christ Jesus can expect to suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12).   Jesus’ teachings were not only controversial in the context of the 1st century but they continue to create major discomfort for those living by the world standards (which are no standards) in the 21st century.  The principles of kingdom living outlined in the Beatitudes represent a way of living that is counter culture. They call to question the way the world deals with life and with those who exist within its boundaries.  The Beatitudes evoke anger and hostility from those who choose to remain in sin (John 8:21)  The Apostle Paul can attest to the true cost of righteous living as he personally suffered imprisonment, beatings, and danger from his own countrymen all because He preached the gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 11:23-27).

Even in the technological age of the 21st century, Jesus’ teachings are relevant and pertinent for living.     The topics of our daily news never change—murder, corruption, and sufferings perpetrated by mankind upon mankind.  These signs of the time reflect the need for Jesus Christ.  The believer’s life, kingdom living, is an opportunity to share what righteousness looks like.  As believers do this, they can anticipate the same treatment Christ received from a hostile and sinful world.  The possibility of persecution should not silence righteous living.   Beware of teachings that steer you away from the reality of suffering and persecution.  Such teaching lends itself to “silencing” the true Gospel and “undermines” the glory that is to be realized in suffering with Christ (2 Thess. 2:14).

Good to the Last Byte…

In these last days before the return of Christ, the Church and Christians must learn to expect and embrace persecution for righteousness’ sake.  Persecution for righteousness’ sake has its outworking throughout the Bible with examples including Abel, Moses, David, Daniel, Elijah and Jeremiah, just to name a few.  Their righteous living caused others to hate and mistreat them.  Don’t feel bad when you are persecuted for righteous living—you are in good company.

Victorious Living

The Practice of Peacemaking

 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”  Matt. 5:9 (NRS)

What adjective do people use to describe you?  Do they portray you as a bridge builder or a wrecking ball?   Do they see you as one who encourages others or as a dream crusher?  As silly as this exercise may seem, it is important that believers daily exhibit behavior that reflects God’s nature, especially behavior that demonstrates kingdom living.  Today’s beatitude examines God’s peace as it is revealed by those called by His name.

In the beginning man enjoyed a special relationship with God in the Garden of Eden.  But with the introduction of sin, man became estranged from God.  The fellowship and peace once enjoyed by the Creator and His beloved creature was broken.  But because of His great love God reconciled Himself to man through Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:18-19) thereby once again making peace possible between Himself and man.  Through the act of reconciliation, God has also created the opportunity for man to share with his fellow man God’s ministry of peace (2 Cor. 5:20).  Peacemaking found its genesis in the heart of God.

Peacemakers (eirenopoios which means “make peace”) are intentional in creating opportunities that mirror God’s heart of peace in the world. Those who are peacemakers are first and foremost people who understand and embrace God’s provision of peace.  They understand that peace is not the result of external factors or human effort but is the internal “heart work” of the Holy Spirit, who is daily conforming believers to the image of Christ, the Ultimate Peacemaker (Rom. 8:29).   Peacemakers strive to promote the kingdom of God.  They look for opportunities to both prevent potential conflicts and encourage peaceful relationships even if it means personal sacrifice and self-deference (1 Cor. 9:22).  As Christ demonstrated God’s peace in His ministry, believers become peacemakers in this present age (Phil. 4:7).

Who are children of God?

(1) Those who by faith in Jesus Christ have accepted God’s offer of salvation (Gal. 3:26).  The peace that Jesus speaks to in this beatitude is not a “natural” habit or disposition of man; nor is it something one can strive to achieve.  This peace is part of the new nature imparted to man during the process of salvation (2 Cor. 5:17).  This new nature changes the perspective of how man views himself, others, and the world.  He no longer lives for himself but for the glory of God (2 Cor. 5:15).  To practice peacemaking is not easy (in the natural)—that’s why a new nature is required.

(2) Those who are led by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:14).  In contract, those who are not led by the Holy Spirit are directed by the mind and the flesh which are at enmity with the things of God (Rom. 8:6-8). Those who choose not to accept the offer of salvation, live as children of disobedience, guided by their fleshly nature, instructed by the ways of the world, and servant to the god of the air (1 John 3:10). How can there be peace on earth when mankind is consumed by greed, lust, pride, and hatred.  These are the root of peacelessness.

(3) Those who love God and obey His commandments (1 John 5:2).  I was once told by a fellow believer that in life they simply follow the “10/2” rule—the Ten Commandments (Deut. 5:6-21) and the Greatest Law (Mark 12:28-34). Evidence of being a child of God is seen in how one lives.  Giving little attention to self, the child of God focuses on the things that glorify God and serve others.

What an honor it is to be identified as part of such a holy and righteous linage.  No longer sons of disobedience (Eph. 2:2), we now are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17).   We thank God for life and the name change—from children of darkness to children of God.

Victorious Living

A Heart to See God

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 (NKJ)

 

As a little girl, the second memory verse I learned (after “Jesus wept”) was the beatitude that we will examine today. I learned it quickly and adopted it as my favorite verse to recite at family dinner gatherings.  I can’t explain how the choice of this verse came to be; perhaps my mother felt it would help in calming my mischievous spirit.  Little did I realize that my mother’s teaching would lead to a fuller vision of God and His Kingdom.

Jesus was intentional in His teachings.  His purposefulness is seen in His presentation of each of the beatitudes especially with the placement of this sixth beatitude, “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Jesus has to this point shared with His disciples key behaviors of those who enjoy the “happiness and satisfaction” of living by kingdom rules.  The Beatitudes in unity and individually, radically flew in the face of how the world defined happiness, satisfaction, and success—poor in spirit, mourners, meek, merciful, hungry and thirsty.  Today’s beatitude is no exception to this teaching pattern as it redefines purity and the resulting blessedness of “seeing God.”

In reading this beatitude today, one might comment on its simplicity in meaning and presentation.  However, in the context of the 1st century, Jesus’ statement was revolutionary, for he presented it to a nation literally obsessed with purification laws and procedures (Lev. 11-15).   Imagine the shock of hearing Jesus say, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”  “What does He mean by, “See God?’  No one, not even Moses, has ever seen Jehovah God!”   The listeners’ minds must have raced to understand this new teaching, “Purity of heart and nothing else?  No Jewish legal system or codes?”   This alone was sufficient reason for the scribes and the Pharisees (who benefited from the current religious system) to desire Jesus’ death.

The importance of the heart in sustaining a relationship with God was not a new concept.  In the Old Testament, the Lord described the heart, the seat of man’s affection, as “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9).  David understood the importance of purity of heart as he pleaded with God to create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him (Ps. 51:10).    Who are the “pure in heart”?  They are those who mourn the impurity of their hearts to the extent that they do what is needed to cleanse and purify it (Matt. 4:17; 1 John 1:9).  When standing in the presence of Holy God, they understand their personal depravity and the need for forgiveness (Rom. 3:23); confession followed by repentance is the proper response in order to receive the blessedness of God’s kingdom.  Purity of heart is only possible through a “contrite and meek” heart (Ps. 51:17; Is. 57:15).

Jesus’ stipulation of a “pure heart” as the requirement for “seeing God” was a challenge for a religious system that was founded on its outward practices.  “Seeing God” in this beatitude is, to be sure, a reference to what will be achieved in future eternity when the saints, the pure in heart, are able to perceive the holy, righteous One enthroned in heaven (Rev. 5:11-14).    However, like Moses who desired to see God’s face (Ex. 33:17-23), the pure in heart begin to have a glimpse of God even in this life.  God is seen in His sovereign acts of mercy and grace in the life of both believers and nonbelievers (Matt. 5:45).  God’s hand is seen in His providential work within the physical world—in its creation and its sustenance (Acts 17:28).  God is seen in His transforming work in the hearts of sinners as God restores them to newness of life (Rom. 6:6-9).

Seeing God is a challenge for people living in the 21st century—both nonbelievers and believers.  For nonbelievers, this is not surprising.  Satan has blinded them from seeing the possibilities that Christ offers (John 3:3; 2 Cor. 4:4).    Kingdom living is at enmity with a world that neither recognizes nor accepts the authority of God, the lordship of Christ, or the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Unfortunately, believers aren’t always the best witnesses for kingdom living. For some believers the ability to achieve purity of heart seems impossible and unattainable.  This thought is fueled by the incorrect belief that God is seeking external perfection and flawless behavior from believers.  This is a trick of Satan to frustrate and discourage the believer’s efforts to live holy. For other believers, they simply choose to stay in their sin, unrepentant and spiritually impotent.

As children of God, we have everything we need to live pure and holy lives (2 Pet. 1:3; 1 John 3:2-3).  The vision of God is clearly in our view (1 John 3:2-3).  As we daily renew our minds through study of God’s Word, faithfully pray, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, our pursuit of purity becomes “second nature” and part of life lived in the kingdom of God.  To those who pursue purity of the heart belongs the unclouded vision of God right now which will reach consummation when Christ returns (1 Cor. 13:12, 1 John 3:2).  “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Prayer:  Father God, we thank You for the simplicity of salvation and that we, through confession and faith, may see You in all your glory and majesty.  Give us clean hearts that we might see You and witness to Your love, Your grace, and Your mercy.

Victorious Living

The Blessedness of Mercy

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”  Matthew 5:7 (NRS)

“Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.”  Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:36-37

Are you merciful?  Are you moved beyond mere pity to the point of action in resolving pain and distress?  This fourth beatitude, moves to an area which requires self-examination as to the type of “kingdom behavior” followers of Christ are expected to exhibit once having experienced the blessedness of mercy.

Mercy, rendered “steadfast love” in some Bible translations, denotes more than just feelings or emotions.  It indicates a passionate need to relieve the situation that is causing pain to others.  Mercy is a concept integral to our understanding of God and His dealings with humankind. In English translations of the Bible, God’s mercy is expressed in phrases such as “to be merciful” (Deut. 21:8), “to have mercy on” (Luke 18:38), or “to show mercy toward” (Ps. 103:11).  Merciful is used to describe a key attribute of God and can be observed in both His giving of grace and in His withholding of punishment.  (Lam. 3:22; Is. 4:8; Dan.9:4; Zech. 10:6)

Who are the merciful?  The one who extends relief from human suffering, pain, and other distress that one may face.  Jesus gave the great New Testament illustration of being merciful in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).  On his journey the Samaritan sees this poor man who has been in the hands of robbers, stops, and goes across the road to where he is lying. The others (the Levite and the Priest) have seen the man but have gone on. They may have felt compassion and pity yet they have not done anything about it. But here is a man who is merciful; he is sorry for the victim, goes across the road, dresses the wounds, takes the man with him and makes provision for him. That is being merciful. It does not mean only feeling pity; it means a great desire and indeed and endeavor, to do something to relieve the situation.

How is mercy recognized in kingdom living?  God’s kingdom exists in a community that displays both forgiveness for the guilty and compassion for the suffering and needy. This is the way God demonstrated His mercy and love for us:  “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5).   Having experienced the mercy of God personally, believers become the means of mercy for others; mercy follows of necessity if we have truly experienced mercy.  In addition, since mercy is part of God’s character and we are His children (Rom. 8:16), it is an expectation that mercy be demonstrated by those who are called by His name.  There is no greater blessing than to share in God’s eternal nature through extending mercy to others.

Who shall obtain mercy?  The blessedness of mercy is not mercy given by others but mercy received from God.  This mercy has already been given to the believer through God’s plan of salvation.  While believers act as channels of mercy to others, they concurrently enjoy unlimited access to mercy that will continue through this life into eternity (Rom. 5:1-2). In receiving God’s mercy, we experience the greatest gift—eternal life lived with the Father and the Son.

Victorious Living

Desperately Seeking Righteousness

                                                  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” Matt. 5:6   (NRS)

In the movie the Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith plays Chris Gardner, a desperate individual endeavoring to save his family from dire circumstances created by his lack of employment and subsequent homelessness.  Chris is given the opportunity for a job on Wall Street by a benevolent mentor who sees in him, not only hidden talent, but a “hunger and thirst” for a better life.  When Jesus spoke of hungering and thirsting for righteousness, He knew the impact “kingdom living” would have on individuals in search of a “better life”.  Jesus saw individuals who were spiritually hungry, starved by the empty promises of this world.  The result was emaciated spirits and dry souls.   The world was desperately seeking.

To be righteous (dikaios), in a broad sense, describes man as God had originally created him to be—one whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God. The believer’s righteousness is not their own but is the imputed (credited) righteousness of Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1).  In addition, the desire to continue living righteously before God is made possible by Jesus Christ’s presence within believers through the Holy Spirit.  It is the Holy Spirit that gives the believer the ability to live right and to do right (Ez. 36:25-27; Phil. 2:13).

Jesus’ invitation to righteousness was an invitation to a new way of living—kingdom living; no longer marked by hypocrisy and corruption as seen in the lives of the ruling religious leaders. Jesus invited those who sought God’s righteousness to simply “Come” (Matt. 11:28-30).  This invitation would resonate with individuals in familiar terms they could easily understand—hunger and thirst.

To “hunger and thirst” for God’s righteousness indicated a strong craving that becomes the driving force in the life of the believer.  The Psalmist captured this fervent yearning in Psalms 42:1-3:

As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?  My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?”

While hunger and thirst are terms typically used to express basic human needs, the hunger and thirst that Jesus describes in this beatitude depicts a “spiritual hunger and thirst” that finds no satisfaction in the physical realm.  And what is the effect of this yearning?  “It is filled!”  To be filled (chortazo) implies that a desire is satisfied—refreshed, supported, and strengthened.   Jesus described Himself as the true Source that satisfies the longings of mankind (John 6:22-27). Still today Jesus promises “whosoever will” that comes to Him shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Him shall never thirst (John 6:35).

The world is at enmity with those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Look at how the world responded to our Lord and Savior—they crucified Him!  (John 15:20)  But in spite of the persecution we may encounter or the rejection we may face, it is imperative that we stand firm and give the world the reason for our hope—a living hope that is realized both now and in eternity future (1 Pet. 3:15).     Like the Apostle Paul, we can boldly announce our extreme satisfaction in serving Christ.  For we know that whether abound or abased, we will be “filled” (Phil. 4:12-13).   May we never lose our “hunger and thirst for the God’s righteousness.

Good to the Last Byte…

Our culture continues to seek answers to the moral and social problems of our day using man’s wisdom.   Such efforts are “senseless striving” without first seeking God’s righteousness.

Victorious Living

Meekness and Kingdom Living

Last week we explored the blessedness in “mourning and comforting”.  Mourning was the sincere sorrow believers experience when they realize the impact of sin in their life.  Comfort develops in knowing that Jesus Christ has delivered us not only from the penalty (death) of sin but also provided the means for ongoing cleansing through confession to our merciful Father (1 John 1:9).  The Beatitudes illustrate the behaviors and resulting “blessedness” that belongs to believers living by “kingdom rules”.  These behaviors were truly “counter culture” for not only those living in the first century but even more so for believers living in the twenty-first.

Meekness (praus) is typically used to describe one whose disposition is gentle or mild. It has also been described as “power under control”.  Jesus described Himself as “gentle and lowly” (Matt. 11:29) yet He was the Creator of the universe.  John Killinger in his classic, Letting God Bless You describes how Jesus life truly depicted “power under control”.

When folks got the idea of starting a movement that would make Him an earthly king, Jesus slipped away to be alone and to pray. While he commended the use of riches to help the poor, he himself never had much in the way of earthly goods-apparently not even a home to call his own or an extra change of raiment. When he was preparing to leave his closest friends, he took a bowl of water and a towel and got down on his knees to wash their feet, insisting that they learn to live through serving one another, not by sitting in the places of honor. Betrayed by a follower who led the police to his prayer spot in Gethsemane, he kissed the follower and bade his friends not to raise their swords. Brought before Pilate and Caiaphas, he saw the uselessness of protest and fell into creative silence. Crucified between two criminals, he spoke kindly to the one with an open heart and forgave the soldiers who had followed orders in carrying out his execution. He didn’t have to be this way. He didn’t have to submit to such mistreatment.

Jesus stated that meekness would result in inheriting the earth.  All through the Bible this was the promise to the people of Israel—a land.  What earth or land was to be inherited? Some scholars believe the land refers to the Promised Land originally promised to the patriarchs of the Old Testaments (Gen. 12:7; 24:7; 26:3; 28:13); others say it is the future Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 20:1-10).  But possessing the land signified much more than a possession; it signified a sense of place, security, an inheritance from God.  These promises will be realized with the second coming of the Messiah when there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1). The promise is for believers who are in the New Covenant. And the promise will be fulfilled in a far more glorious way than anyone could imagine. The new creation will not be possessed by the powerful despots, the ruthless tyrants, or the manipulative schemers. It will be possessed by the meek. This is our living hope for today (1 Tim. 4:10; Titus 2:13).

How does one become meek? The answer to this comes from other passages of the Bible that describe how the spiritual life works. Meekness and gentleness and goodness are part of the fruit of the Spirit—they are produced in the Christian by the Holy Spirit. So the direction people should follow to cultivate a spirit of meekness would be to walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:24-25), or be controlled by the Spirit of God so that the qualities of Christ can be produced in and through them.

The Gospel writer’s narratives of Jesus’ life shared what meekness in action looks like. Jesus could have called down angels to take his side in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:53). But, for all of this, he was a meek man, a man after the heart of God, a man from the heart of God. Let us follow Jesus’ glorious example.

Victorious Living

Do You Wanna Be Happy? Comforted Mourners

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (NRS)

The reward in studying the Beatitudes is not simply in acquiring knowledge that will improve our spiritual or moral character but it is an opportunity to gain insight into the nature of God and the extraordinary kingdom God has designed for our lives.  The “blessedness” described in the Beatitudes affirms a quality of life that is already present with more to be fully realized in eternity future.  In exploring the key propositions set forth within the Beatitudes, we discover the blessedness of “kingdom living”.

As a recap, “blessed” literally means “happy”.  As we discovered earlier in this series, this “happiness” is not the same happiness that is offered by the world.  Worldly happiness is dependent on circumstances or material possessions; kingdom happiness is authentic joy that accrues to a believer who shares in the salvation of the kingdom of heaven.  The intent of this study series is to rediscover the fact that the believer’s “happiness” transcends the world’s definition and is anchored to our belief and trust in God (Heb. 6:19).  “Blessed” implies an inner satisfaction and sufficiency that is not dependent on outward circumstances; it is not a function of positive psychology or a product of positive thinking.  It is the reality of living in God’s presence, under God’s protection, and appreciating God’s provision.  This allows believers to be “blessed” even while living in a fallen world.  Today’s beatitude is a prime example of this reality of kingdom living.

Mourning is not the usual activity we associate with happiness.  Why did Jesus choose to use mourning as a topic to include in this beatitude?  Who can know the mind of God? (Rom. 11:34) But we do know that Jesus included it in His teaching on the kingdom of heaven and the Holy Spirit called it to the apostle’s “remembrance” (John 14:26) so that it would be chronicled in Holy Scripture for our reading today.  Therefore, it is important for our learning.  Mourning, usually associated with death or loss, is a universal expression of deep sorrow and grief.  However, like “poor in spirit” has nothing to do with finances, “mourning and comforting”, in this beatitude, has nothing to do with death or loss.  The major belief put forth by Bible scholars is that this mourning is “mourning over sin”.  Paul spoke of this as “godly sorrow” that produces repentance leading to salvation without regret (2 Cor. 7:10).  Much too often believers are burdened by unconfessed sin in their life resulting in emotional and spiritual scaring.  Satan then uses guilt and shame to further enslave our lives.  Once we truly comprehend the impact of sin on our lives and on our relationship with God, there is much reason to mourn.

Where is the blessedness in mourning?  The “happiness” comes in the “comfort” which God provides through His forgiveness and salvation. Mourning our sinful state drives us into the arms of Jesus Christ, Who is the source of our forgiveness and salvation (Is. 40:1, 2).  This occurs initially when we accept Jesus as our Savior and continues daily as we confess new sins that we have committed (Matt. 6:12; 1 John 1:9).  There is comfort in knowing that our sins are forgiven and we are in right relationship with the Lord (Eph. 2:11-13).  Mourning leads to comfort—forgiveness, salvation, and restoration. We thank God for the comfort He has provided us through Jesus Christ. 

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.   (Isaiah 61:3) 

Good to the Last Byte…

Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) gives us an excellent model of “godly sorrow”.  The prodigal mourned his disobedience that led to his “sinful state”:  “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee” (v. 18).  His “godly sorrow” and confession (v. 21) then led to reconciliation with and “comfort” from his father:  “Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry” (vv. 22, 23).   Jesus is the way to the blessed comfort promised to those who mourn over their sins.

Victorious Living

Do You Wanna Be Happy? Reality Living in God’s Kingdom

   “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:3 (NRS)

If the television industry is to be remembered for anything, it will be the birth of “reality” programming.  Since its entrance into our entertainment schedule, the number of reality shows and spin offs have grown exponentially compared with other television venues.  When I first read the preview of many reality shows, they read like a bad skit from Saturday Night Live.  But as much as these programs are marketed as “reality”, the truth of the matter is that their plots are carefully staged to insure their continued popularity.  Their view of reality was no more than “staged possibility”.

However, when Jesus spoke of the poor in spirit being blessed with the kingdom of heaven, He was presenting to the disciples a new reality that was both available and possible to those who accepted Him as their Lord and Savior.  Upon accepting Christ’s invitation, believers entered into His kingdom—a new reality for living as citizens of God’s kingdom on earth and heaven.

Pastor Chuck Smith’s video last week informed us that the promises (the blessedness) of the Beatitudes are available to believers only.  In fact, to unbelievers the propositions put forth in the eight (8) declarations, appear illogical and irrational.  This should not surprise us in that the preaching of Christ (and His teachings) is “to them that are perishing foolishness” (1 Cor. 1:18) because the world’s wisdom is based on the standards of a world system of a different king—Satan (2 Cor. 4:4).     But the believer’s reality is not based on “the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but that which the Holy Ghost teaches.  The natural man (unbeliever) cannot understand these things because they are spiritually discerned”.  The privilege of the poor in spirit and the possession of the kingdom of heaven are reserved only for those who believe (1 Cor. 2:12-14).

The privilege of being poor in spirit comes in understanding the need for not only salvation but also for a Savior.  It is in recognizing one’s sinfulness, depravity and disobedience, that poverty of spirit is exposed.  We cry out like Paul, “Oh wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”  (Rom. 7:24)  The reality of our personal brokenness should not drive us to increased darkness but to the life-giving light of Jesus where true forgiveness is possible and spiritual transformation can begin (Col. 1:20-22).

The possession of the kingdom of heaven can only be properly understood in knowing the King.  As believers, our reality acknowledges that our Lord and King is Jesus Christ.   In Him, we live and move and have our meaning in Him (Acts 17:28).  God is transcendent (beyond or above the range of human experience) and omniscient (everywhere all the time); we live continually in His presence.  While Jesus reigns exalted with God in heavenly places (Ep. 1:20), His rule still extends to us as we physically live in this fallen world.   As subjects of God’s kingdom, we are to live faithfully for Him and for the purpose He has determined for our lives (Ep. 2:10).   It is this reality that incents us to live holy and soberly within His kingdom (Titus 2:12).  Our allegiance and loyalty is to our king, Jesus Christ.

Why then are believers blessed or happy?  First, because they know their sins have been forgiven (Ep. 1:7).  They no longer need to hide in the shame and the fear of their past lives.  Jesus has made it possible for them to become part of the citizenship of heaven (1 Pet. 2:9).  This position comes with both privilege and power that exceed any temporary position we might hold on earth.  Second, believers not only enjoy benefits as citizens of God’s kingdom now but look forward to even more blessings in eternity (Ep. 2:12, 18,19).   Finally, the believer’s position in God’s kingdom can never be withdrawn or loss.  Nothing can separate them from God’s presence; their present and future are secure because it has been secured by the blood of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:18).

The reality of living in God’s kingdom results in peace that passes all understanding, indescribable joy, and love that covers a multitude of sins and offenses.  In the Beatitudes, Matthew captures only a sampling of the extraordinary gifts that awaits those who believe and trust in Jesus Christ.

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

Who, when he had found one pearl of great price,

went and sold all that he had, and bought it.  Matthew 13:45-46

Victorious Living

Do You Wanna Be Happy? Blessedness

“Blessed…” Matthew 5:2 (NRS)

The Beatitudes are found in both Matthew (5:1-12) and Luke (6:20-26).  In Matthew, they are placed thoughtfully before the Sermon on the Mount, the first and longest message of Jesus that we have in the gospel.  The Beatitudes are different to study than other biblical narratives; each saying is proverb-like:  cryptic, precise and full of meaning.  Contrary to popular belief, the Beatitudes were not initially shared with the masses, as presented to us in bible illustrations and movie productions.   Jesus taught them exclusively to His disciples. Luke makes this distinction clear:  “Then He (Jesus) lifted up His eyes toward the disciples and said…” (Luke 6:20).  The disciples as new citizens of “kingdom of heaven” would need to understand the uniqueness of this kingdom and their role in proclaiming the arrival of its King.  In this initial teaching by Jesus, the Disciples would be the first to be “blessed.”

Blessed or makarios {mak-ar’-ee-os} is translated as “happy.” But “happy” doesn’t seem to capture all that is intended in the Beatitudes because modern usage of this word tends to devalue its true meaning. We use the word happy to describe everything from getting a new car to finding a parking space at the mall.   “Blessed” or happy in this text is an exclamation of the inner joy and peace that comes with being right with God.  Happiness may indeed be a part of it, but it is a happiness that transcends what happens in the world around us—a happiness that comes to the soul from being favored by God. That is why one can feel blessed even during intense persecution (Matt. 5:10; 1 Pet. 3:14).

The Beatitudes are more than characteristics of what believers are to strive for in their spiritual walk.  The qualities outlined in the Beatitudes give a picture of the character of the true people of God who are already part of His kingdom and who have the full blessings of the kingdom—now and in the future (1 John 3:2).  Jesus’ declaration of “blessed” to the disciples is a “pledge of divine reward” for the inner spiritual character of the righteous.  When we accept Christ as our Savior, we become part of the “blessed”.  In Christ we were rescued from the power of darkness and spiritually “transferred” into the kingdom of heaven (Col. 1:12-14).  As we grow in Christ[1], we can better understand and embrace the “blessings” described in the Beatitudes.   God knew the true way to “happiness” and from the foundation of the world prepared the way for us to be “blessed” (Ep. 1:4).

Good to the Last Byte…

Last week we ended our study on the pursuit of happiness by offering a surer path to well-being and contentment that men seek.  That offer was and will always be Jesus the Christ.  It would be Jesus the Christ who would save man from sin, reconcile man to God, and make it possible for men to live in peace.  It is in Christ’s arrival that “eternal blessedness” would replace “temporary happiness.”

[1]  We grow in Christ or spiritual maturity through practicing the disciplines of prayer, fasting, reading the Bible and fellowship with other believers.  Spiritual maturity also requires relinquishing control of our lives to the leading and guidance of Holy Spirit.

Victorious Living

Do You Wanna Be Happy? The Pursuit of Happiness

“Then He (Jesus) began to speak, and taught them.” Matthew 5:2 (NRS)

This short question was introduced to me through the latest song by the gospel extraordinaire, Kirk Franklin.  I think Brother Kirk’s popularity comes from being able to capture in his songs the key questions people may ask as they live out this Christian walk.  In this particular song, there is ongoing dialog with an individual who appears to be frustrated with life after unsuccessful attempts to find happiness.  Exasperated with their situation, they sadly cry out, “I just wanna be happy.”

Happiness is defined as a state of well-being and contentment.  Happiness is truly a function of one’s personal perception, circumstance, and desire.  For the person who is lonely, happiness may be experiencing true friendship and community.  For the individual who feels powerless, happiness may be wealth and influence.  Regardless of the need behind the pursuit of happiness, the quest to find it has been and continues to be man’s greatest quest.  “We just wanna be happy!”

During the mid-20th century, the pursuit of happiness was found in the discovery of self.  “Self” became the surrogate for happiness—self-gratification, self-satisfaction, self-actualization.  I admit my part as a Baby Boomer in opening the door to our current fixation on “if it feels good do it” and “you can have it all”.  Our pursuit of personal happiness (versus God) did much to accelerate secularism, hedonism, and materialism.  “Sorry, we just wanted to be happy!”

With the dawn of the 21st century, man has now “turned his ear” (2 Tim. 4:4) to the sciences to help him find happiness.   One method currently under examination is positive psychology which is the study of happiness. Psychology has traditionally focused on dysfunction—people with mental illness or other psychological problems—and how to treat it. Positive psychology, in contrast, is a relatively new field that examines how ordinary people can become happier and more fulfilled.  “Yes Dr. Phil, we wanna be happy!”

In examining the different paths to happiness, there is one obvious way that is missing.  This way satisfies the earlier description given for happiness—the state of well-being and contentment.  That way is Jesus Christ—He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).  Well-being includes security, safety, and health.  In Psalm 18:2, David describes the source of his well-being as he is delivered from King Saul and his enemies:  “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”  Contentment encompasses serenity, satisfaction, and gladness.  The Apostle Paul exchanged his earthly power and position for great suffering and pain (2 Cor. 11:23-27) yet he proudly boasted in Phil. 4:11-13 (NRS):  “I have learned to be content with whatever I have.  I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”  That sounds like happiness to me.

During the month of May, we will explore happiness from Jesus’ teaching of the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-12).   We will be providing special resources and teaching materials that will allow you to dig deep into what true happiness looks like from Jesus perspective. Join us next week as we begin our series, “Do You Wanna Be Happy?”

Good to the Last Byte…

Based on the world’s standard for happiness, Solomon, the greatest kings in the history of Israel, should have been the poster child for happiness.  He had it all—riches, power, and fame.  Yet he was not happy.  His discontent led to the writing of the book of Ecclesiastes, in which he called all that he pursued as “vanity” (hebel) which is interpreted as “meaningless”.  “Poor Solomon, he had it all yet he still wanted to be happy!”