The Beatitudes Matthew 5:1-12
Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Cross ref Ps 37:11
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Sermon on the Mount has been called the constitution and bylaws of the kingdom of heaven. This is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus.
The Beatitudes are foundational standards for Christian living, and are keys to wholeness, healing and spiritual maturity.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:3
Blessed from makarios in Greek, means joyful, fulfilled, content, at peace with oneself.
The phrase "blessed are" in each of the beatitudes implies a current state of happiness or well-being. While speaking of a current "blessedness," seven of the eight beatitudes promise a future reward, as in they shall be comforted, they shall inherit, they shall be satisfied and so on. However, in the first beatitude “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” Jesus tells us that the poor in spirit will experience the kingdom of God now.
What does it mean to be poor in spirit? Jesus was speaking of our spiritual condition of poverty. Whether we are poor or rich in the conventional sense is not the issue here.
"Poor in spirit" means to be humble. Humility is the realization that all your gifts and blessings come from the grace of God.
The “poor in spirit” realize that they are spiritually bankrupt and have nothing that they can present to God Almighty.
2 Corinthians 3:5
The poor in spirit humble themselves and repent before God as helpless, hopeless sinners grateful for the gift of salvation.
Isaiah 57:15
The poor in spirit are completely dependent on God, and enjoy an abundance of peace.
Psalm 37:11
The poor in spirit are liberated and have an amazing world of opportunity. Because, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Spiritual bankruptcy is coming to the realization that I am not God and that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing Romans7:18, and that I am ready to turn my life over to God completely. When we realize that we have nothing but God, when we understand that we are nothing, without God, then we discover the power and liberty of life in Christ, Matthew 19:26. In that place of spiritual bankruptcy, we humble ourselves before God, then He is able to work through us to do incredible things that will produce fruit and glorify Him. 2 Corinthians12:9
For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans7:18
And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matt19:26
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. ”Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
God humbles Himself:
Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth? Psalm 113:6
Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar. Psalm 138:6.
Jesus emptied Himself of everything and humbled Himself to become and live as a human being and then to die a gruesome criminal’s death on the cross to fully pay our sin debt.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Phil2:5-8
The Holy Spirit humbles Himself. The Holy Spirit, who is God Almighty, chooses to only glorify Christ on earth, and thus submits Himself to a Divine Equal!
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. John 16:13,14
The opposite of “poor in spirit” are people trying to live their life independent of God and constantly attempting to control and manipulate people, situations and family members.
Why do we need to be poor in spirit? If we don’t turn our lives over to God, we react to things that happen like disappointments or stress in ways that are mostly harmful to us and to others.
What do the poor in spirit experience right now regarding the kingdom of God/heaven?
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Roman 14:13
Principle 1: For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans7:18
Step 1: Realizing that I am not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life has become unmanageable.
The first step of our recovery is to face and admit our denial.
God tells us, “You can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there!” Jeremiah6:14 TLB
The acrostic for DENIAL spells out some of the results we can experience if we don’t face our denial.
Disables our feelings -*- By repressing our feelings we freeze our emotions.
Energy lost -*-A side effect of denial is anxiety, which causes us to waste precious energy.
Negates growth -*-We are “as sick as our secrets.” We must step out of denial into the truth.
Isolates us from God -*- God’s light shines on the truth. Our denial keeps us in the dark.
Alienates us from our relationships -*- Denial tells us we’re getting away with it. We think no one knows-but they do.
Lengthens the pain -*- We think falsely that denial protects us from our pain, but denial multiplies the problem.
Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit Worksheet
Would it be safe to say that we are all rich in pride? Pride stands in the way of spiritual poverty.
What are some ways that you have shown pride recently?
Jesus teaches that the poor in spirit are those who will experience the kingdom of heaven. Those who are absolutely incapable of anything and are totally dependent on God’s grace will lay hold of heaven.
Look at Isaiah 66:2, Psalm 34:18, and Psalm 51:17.
After reading these verses, how would you define “poor in spirit?
We must come to a point of realizing our complete and utter dependence on Christ for anything and everything. It is at this point that we are able to experience kingdom living or the abundant life Christ died for us to have.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners. Is 61:1
What areas of your life do you have power (control) over?
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
Instead of worrying about things that we cannot control, we need to focus on what God can do in our lives. What are you worrying about? Why
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Separation from God can feel very real, but it is never permanent. What can you do to get closer to God?
There are some characteristics of those who are poor in spirit.
1. Dying daily – A person who is poor in spirit continues to humble himself and seeks to glorify God in his life.
John the Baptist expresses this in John 3:30 when he says, “He must increase and I must decrease.”
2. Exalting Christ – Those who are poor in spirit are lost in the wonder of Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18 speaks of beholding His glory and then being transformed. (Psalm 17:15).
3. Embracing Contentment – Imagine if we were to demand of God to give us what we deserve. We would be given hell, literally. Therefore, anything else should be seen as a gift to be appreciated as He abundantly provides for His children. Ephesians 4:7
4. Empowering Others – Those who are poor in spirit see the goodness in others as they realize we are all dependent and have needs. (Romans 12:45).
5. Practicing Prayer –The poor in spirit see their constant need and will continual be asking, seeking, and knocking (Matthew 7:7). Jesus is telling us to continue to ask, seek, and knock.
6. Worshipping God – Paul is a testimony to this in 1Timothy 1:14 where he proclaims that God’s grace was exceeding abundant. A person who is poor in spirit will have a continual attitude of gratitude to God for His grace. These are characteristics of someone who is poor in spirit, not practices or actions to act out in the hopes of laying claim to spiritual poverty.
Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Cross ref Ps 37:11
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Sermon on the Mount has been called the constitution and bylaws of the kingdom of heaven. This is the longest recorded sermon of Jesus.
The Beatitudes are foundational standards for Christian living, and are keys to wholeness, healing and spiritual maturity.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:3
Blessed from makarios in Greek, means joyful, fulfilled, content, at peace with oneself.
The phrase "blessed are" in each of the beatitudes implies a current state of happiness or well-being. While speaking of a current "blessedness," seven of the eight beatitudes promise a future reward, as in they shall be comforted, they shall inherit, they shall be satisfied and so on. However, in the first beatitude “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” Jesus tells us that the poor in spirit will experience the kingdom of God now.
What does it mean to be poor in spirit? Jesus was speaking of our spiritual condition of poverty. Whether we are poor or rich in the conventional sense is not the issue here.
"Poor in spirit" means to be humble. Humility is the realization that all your gifts and blessings come from the grace of God.
The “poor in spirit” realize that they are spiritually bankrupt and have nothing that they can present to God Almighty.
2 Corinthians 3:5
The poor in spirit humble themselves and repent before God as helpless, hopeless sinners grateful for the gift of salvation.
Isaiah 57:15
The poor in spirit are completely dependent on God, and enjoy an abundance of peace.
Psalm 37:11
The poor in spirit are liberated and have an amazing world of opportunity. Because, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Spiritual bankruptcy is coming to the realization that I am not God and that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing Romans7:18, and that I am ready to turn my life over to God completely. When we realize that we have nothing but God, when we understand that we are nothing, without God, then we discover the power and liberty of life in Christ, Matthew 19:26. In that place of spiritual bankruptcy, we humble ourselves before God, then He is able to work through us to do incredible things that will produce fruit and glorify Him. 2 Corinthians12:9
For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans7:18
And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matt19:26
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. ”Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
God humbles Himself:
Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth? Psalm 113:6
Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar. Psalm 138:6.
Jesus emptied Himself of everything and humbled Himself to become and live as a human being and then to die a gruesome criminal’s death on the cross to fully pay our sin debt.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Phil2:5-8
The Holy Spirit humbles Himself. The Holy Spirit, who is God Almighty, chooses to only glorify Christ on earth, and thus submits Himself to a Divine Equal!
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. John 16:13,14
The opposite of “poor in spirit” are people trying to live their life independent of God and constantly attempting to control and manipulate people, situations and family members.
Why do we need to be poor in spirit? If we don’t turn our lives over to God, we react to things that happen like disappointments or stress in ways that are mostly harmful to us and to others.
What do the poor in spirit experience right now regarding the kingdom of God/heaven?
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Roman 14:13
Principle 1: For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans7:18
Step 1: Realizing that I am not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life has become unmanageable.
The first step of our recovery is to face and admit our denial.
God tells us, “You can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there!” Jeremiah6:14 TLB
The acrostic for DENIAL spells out some of the results we can experience if we don’t face our denial.
Disables our feelings -*- By repressing our feelings we freeze our emotions.
Energy lost -*-A side effect of denial is anxiety, which causes us to waste precious energy.
Negates growth -*-We are “as sick as our secrets.” We must step out of denial into the truth.
Isolates us from God -*- God’s light shines on the truth. Our denial keeps us in the dark.
Alienates us from our relationships -*- Denial tells us we’re getting away with it. We think no one knows-but they do.
Lengthens the pain -*- We think falsely that denial protects us from our pain, but denial multiplies the problem.
Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit Worksheet
Would it be safe to say that we are all rich in pride? Pride stands in the way of spiritual poverty.
What are some ways that you have shown pride recently?
Jesus teaches that the poor in spirit are those who will experience the kingdom of heaven. Those who are absolutely incapable of anything and are totally dependent on God’s grace will lay hold of heaven.
Look at Isaiah 66:2, Psalm 34:18, and Psalm 51:17.
After reading these verses, how would you define “poor in spirit?
We must come to a point of realizing our complete and utter dependence on Christ for anything and everything. It is at this point that we are able to experience kingdom living or the abundant life Christ died for us to have.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners. Is 61:1
What areas of your life do you have power (control) over?
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
Instead of worrying about things that we cannot control, we need to focus on what God can do in our lives. What are you worrying about? Why
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Separation from God can feel very real, but it is never permanent. What can you do to get closer to God?
There are some characteristics of those who are poor in spirit.
1. Dying daily – A person who is poor in spirit continues to humble himself and seeks to glorify God in his life.
John the Baptist expresses this in John 3:30 when he says, “He must increase and I must decrease.”
2. Exalting Christ – Those who are poor in spirit are lost in the wonder of Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18 speaks of beholding His glory and then being transformed. (Psalm 17:15).
3. Embracing Contentment – Imagine if we were to demand of God to give us what we deserve. We would be given hell, literally. Therefore, anything else should be seen as a gift to be appreciated as He abundantly provides for His children. Ephesians 4:7
4. Empowering Others – Those who are poor in spirit see the goodness in others as they realize we are all dependent and have needs. (Romans 12:45).
5. Practicing Prayer –The poor in spirit see their constant need and will continual be asking, seeking, and knocking (Matthew 7:7). Jesus is telling us to continue to ask, seek, and knock.
6. Worshipping God – Paul is a testimony to this in 1Timothy 1:14 where he proclaims that God’s grace was exceeding abundant. A person who is poor in spirit will have a continual attitude of gratitude to God for His grace. These are characteristics of someone who is poor in spirit, not practices or actions to act out in the hopes of laying claim to spiritual poverty.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
In the first beatitude, Christ pronounces ‘blessed’ are the poor in spirit. We recognize our spiritual bankruptcy and total depravity apart from God. Confronted with and convicted of the true state of our own characters and failings, we quickly see our sin and wretchedness, which produces spiritual mourning.
There are 9 Greek words for “Mourn “. The one used here “Pentheo” (Strong's #3996) denotes loud mourning like the lament for a very severe loss, such as the death of a child, spouse, parent or sibling.
Everyone experiences sad and tragic losses at some time or another in this life. Jesus did not mean the cranky pessimist is blessed or that God wants His people to be miserable and in despair. The Bible teaches that God wants us to be joyful. Psalm 118:24, Proverbs 17:22; Philippians 4:4; Romans 12:12, Luke 10:20.
These scriptures and scores of others that could be added to them all teach God's people are to be happy. Those who teach you cannot have a good time and enjoy yourself and be a Christian are misguided. Christianity is intended to make us happy, not sad. Christians should be the happiest people in the world. The happiness begins within and radiates their whole being.
The focus in this beatitude is to grieve over our sin, sin among believers, the sin infecting our country and the sin corrupting our world. It also contains a promise of the comfort found in God’s forgiveness and in the joy of eternal salvation. According to Isaiah 53:3, Jesus was well acquainted with grief and He openly expressed sorrow. The translation for John 11:35 is that Jesus wept quietly or silently. This mourning is not like that of one who howls loudly when his sin is brought to light (2 Co 7:10). Sin is destructive and results in (spiritual) death. Sin separates us from God (Romans 6:23).
Ezra (Ezra 10:1-4), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4), David (2 Samuel 15:30), Paul (2 Corinthians 12:21), and even Christ, our Lord, wept and mourned over sin, personal sin, corporate sin, and national sin (Luke19:41-44).
God, the Father grieves (Genesis 6:6). The Spirit can grieve (Ephesians 4:30) when we sin.
Mourning over sin leads us straight to the cross of Christ, where we find grace, mercy, forgiveness, salvation, and hope. This mourning reveals our utter dependence upon the mercy and grace of God thru Jesus.
God will bless those who hate and mourn over sin with eternal life in heaven. Revelation.7:13-17
Blessed are Those who Mourn worksheet
He loves us more than we can even understand. He loves us because we are made in His image (Gen 1:27)
He loves us because we are His creation. He showed that love by in sending His son, Jesus (John 3:16)
and allowing Him to die for us as atonement for our sin-debt. Romans 5:8-
Personal Reflection
In the first beatitude, Christ pronounces ‘blessed’ are the poor in spirit. We recognize our spiritual bankruptcy and total depravity apart from God. Confronted with and convicted of the true state of our own characters and failings, we quickly see our sin and wretchedness, which produces spiritual mourning.
There are 9 Greek words for “Mourn “. The one used here “Pentheo” (Strong's #3996) denotes loud mourning like the lament for a very severe loss, such as the death of a child, spouse, parent or sibling.
Everyone experiences sad and tragic losses at some time or another in this life. Jesus did not mean the cranky pessimist is blessed or that God wants His people to be miserable and in despair. The Bible teaches that God wants us to be joyful. Psalm 118:24, Proverbs 17:22; Philippians 4:4; Romans 12:12, Luke 10:20.
These scriptures and scores of others that could be added to them all teach God's people are to be happy. Those who teach you cannot have a good time and enjoy yourself and be a Christian are misguided. Christianity is intended to make us happy, not sad. Christians should be the happiest people in the world. The happiness begins within and radiates their whole being.
The focus in this beatitude is to grieve over our sin, sin among believers, the sin infecting our country and the sin corrupting our world. It also contains a promise of the comfort found in God’s forgiveness and in the joy of eternal salvation. According to Isaiah 53:3, Jesus was well acquainted with grief and He openly expressed sorrow. The translation for John 11:35 is that Jesus wept quietly or silently. This mourning is not like that of one who howls loudly when his sin is brought to light (2 Co 7:10). Sin is destructive and results in (spiritual) death. Sin separates us from God (Romans 6:23).
Ezra (Ezra 10:1-4), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4), David (2 Samuel 15:30), Paul (2 Corinthians 12:21), and even Christ, our Lord, wept and mourned over sin, personal sin, corporate sin, and national sin (Luke19:41-44).
God, the Father grieves (Genesis 6:6). The Spirit can grieve (Ephesians 4:30) when we sin.
Mourning over sin leads us straight to the cross of Christ, where we find grace, mercy, forgiveness, salvation, and hope. This mourning reveals our utter dependence upon the mercy and grace of God thru Jesus.
God will bless those who hate and mourn over sin with eternal life in heaven. Revelation.7:13-17
Blessed are Those who Mourn worksheet
He loves us more than we can even understand. He loves us because we are made in His image (Gen 1:27)
He loves us because we are His creation. He showed that love by in sending His son, Jesus (John 3:16)
and allowing Him to die for us as atonement for our sin-debt. Romans 5:8-
- 1. Why does spiritual mourning lead to God’s approval, favor, and happiness?
- 2. Does God feel grief?
- 3. What is it that grieves God? Genesis 6:13, Psalm 95:10-11, Hebrews 3:10-19
- 4. When do we grieve?_
- 5. What do we do that grieves God?
- 6. How should we view God in light of this?
- 7. Can we learn to grieve over the things God grieves over?
- 8. Why was Jesus grieved with the Pharisees?
- 9.Why would we want to cause God grief?
Personal Reflection
- When is the last time I wept over personal sin the way I wept over my friend’s sudden death?
- When was the last time I wept with a heart broken over my sin and rebellion against God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit? _
- When was the last time the sin of another Christian broke my heart and put me on my knees before the Father?
- When is the last time I fasted and wept like Nehemiah over the sins of God’s people?
- When I begin to mourn and grieve over these things, I will experience the favor, approval, and supernatural comfort of Jesus Christ, the Lord.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5
Part of the problem is our concept of "meekness." What does meek actually mean?
Webster’s definition of meek is:
1: enduring injury with patience and without resentment: mild
2: deficient in spirit and courage: submissive
3: not violent or strong: moderate
“Deficient in spirit and courage,” these are not characteristics most people associate with taking over the world! However, what we usually associate with meekness is not what the Bible teaches as "meekness." in Greek this word for “meekness” means, "the wild horse that has become obedient to the bit and bridle." This is strength under control and not passivity or weakness!
The meek are happy to allow their spirit to be under God's control. They realize and accept that they are small, vulnerable, and limited. While things happen in life that generally cause hopelessness, confusion, anger or bitterness, the meek person chooses to trust God believing that He is omnipotent, totally in control and that He will provide the needed help (Prov 3:5-6, Isaiah 41:13, Ps 37:40, Ps 86:7, Ps 30:2, Ps 34:17, Ps 22:24). In the Bible the meek are those who have a spirit of gentleness and self-control; they are free from malice and a condescending spirit. The meek may like the poor have no resources of their own; but then again they may, for Moses was described as being meek and humble (Num. 12:3). The person trusting, praising and thanking God in spite of the storm, will receive the peace of God (Isaiah 26:3, John 14:27, Phil 4:6-7).
The meek or humble person’s strength is evident in the character of their lives. They seek to raise others above self and have no desire to do good things to gain the approval of man. The Lord said, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11).
Paraphrase:
"Blessed are those who submit to God as Lord, for they will be heirs to everything God possesses."
Well, how does one become meek? Especially, if one is not is not meek by nature?
The Bible says that meekness and gentleness and goodness are fruit of the Spirit and this “fruit” is developed in the Christian by power of the Holy Spirit. So the direction people should follow to cultivate a spirit of meekness would be to walk in the Spirit, that is to be controlled by the Spirit of God so that the qualities of Christ can be produced in and through them. This will call for spending some time studying the scripture so that our minds can be renewed and transformed.
David wrote: “But the humble will inherit the land, and will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.” (
Ps 37:11)
The promise to the meek is that they will possess the land. What land is meant?
Matthew Henry comments: ”Not that they (the meek) shall always have much of the (present) earth, much less that they shall be put off with that only; but this branch of godliness has, in a special manner, the promise of life that now is. Meekness, however ridiculed and run down, has a real tendency to promote our health, wealth, comfort, and safety, even in this world. The meek and quiet are observed to live the most easy lives, compared with the froward and turbulent.”
With the second coming of the Messiah there will be a new heaven and a new earth. The promise is for all who are in the New Covenant. And the promise will be fulfilled in a far more glorious way than anyone could imagine. The new earth will not be possessed by the powerful dictators, vicious tyrants, or manipulative deceivers. It will be possessed by the meek. In this age,
There is nothing wimpy about being meek, the strongest people are the meek, and therefore, they will inherit the earth.
Blessed Are The Meek Worksheet
There are some people who seem to be born naturally nice. That is not what the Lord means when He says, “Blessed are the meek.” That is something purely biological, the kind of things you get in animals. One dog is nicer than another; one a cat is nicer than another. That is not meekness. So it does not mean to be naturally nice or easy to get on with. Nor does it mean weakness in personality or character. Still less does it mean a spirit of compromise or peace at any price. How often are these things mistaken? How often the man is regarded as weak who says anything rather than having a disagreement? (Lloyd-Jones, D.M. Studies in the Sermon on the Mount).
Meekness/gentleness also implies self-control. So the man who is meek is able to balance his anger. It is strength under control. The meek person is strong! He is gentle, meek, and mild, but he is in control. He is as strong as steel.
Meekness implies submission to God, but it is not a submission that shrugs its shoulders and say, “Oh well, I can’t do anything about it anyway,” but it is an inactive submission, a choosing to accept God’s way without murmuring or disputing.
Meekness is neither cowardice, emotional flabbiness, lack of conviction, complacency, timidity nor the willingness to have peace at any cost.
Neither does meekness suggest indecisiveness, wishy-washiness, or a lack of confidence. He meek person is gentle and mild in his own cause, though he may be a lion in God’s cause or in defending others.
Meekness is not shyness or a withdrawn personality, as contrasted with that of an extrovert. Nor can
meekness be reduced to mere niceness.
Part of the problem is our concept of "meekness." What does meek actually mean?
Webster’s definition of meek is:
1: enduring injury with patience and without resentment: mild
2: deficient in spirit and courage: submissive
3: not violent or strong: moderate
“Deficient in spirit and courage,” these are not characteristics most people associate with taking over the world! However, what we usually associate with meekness is not what the Bible teaches as "meekness." in Greek this word for “meekness” means, "the wild horse that has become obedient to the bit and bridle." This is strength under control and not passivity or weakness!
The meek are happy to allow their spirit to be under God's control. They realize and accept that they are small, vulnerable, and limited. While things happen in life that generally cause hopelessness, confusion, anger or bitterness, the meek person chooses to trust God believing that He is omnipotent, totally in control and that He will provide the needed help (Prov 3:5-6, Isaiah 41:13, Ps 37:40, Ps 86:7, Ps 30:2, Ps 34:17, Ps 22:24). In the Bible the meek are those who have a spirit of gentleness and self-control; they are free from malice and a condescending spirit. The meek may like the poor have no resources of their own; but then again they may, for Moses was described as being meek and humble (Num. 12:3). The person trusting, praising and thanking God in spite of the storm, will receive the peace of God (Isaiah 26:3, John 14:27, Phil 4:6-7).
The meek or humble person’s strength is evident in the character of their lives. They seek to raise others above self and have no desire to do good things to gain the approval of man. The Lord said, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11).
Paraphrase:
"Blessed are those who submit to God as Lord, for they will be heirs to everything God possesses."
Well, how does one become meek? Especially, if one is not is not meek by nature?
The Bible says that meekness and gentleness and goodness are fruit of the Spirit and this “fruit” is developed in the Christian by power of the Holy Spirit. So the direction people should follow to cultivate a spirit of meekness would be to walk in the Spirit, that is to be controlled by the Spirit of God so that the qualities of Christ can be produced in and through them. This will call for spending some time studying the scripture so that our minds can be renewed and transformed.
David wrote: “But the humble will inherit the land, and will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.” (
Ps 37:11)
The promise to the meek is that they will possess the land. What land is meant?
Matthew Henry comments: ”Not that they (the meek) shall always have much of the (present) earth, much less that they shall be put off with that only; but this branch of godliness has, in a special manner, the promise of life that now is. Meekness, however ridiculed and run down, has a real tendency to promote our health, wealth, comfort, and safety, even in this world. The meek and quiet are observed to live the most easy lives, compared with the froward and turbulent.”
With the second coming of the Messiah there will be a new heaven and a new earth. The promise is for all who are in the New Covenant. And the promise will be fulfilled in a far more glorious way than anyone could imagine. The new earth will not be possessed by the powerful dictators, vicious tyrants, or manipulative deceivers. It will be possessed by the meek. In this age,
There is nothing wimpy about being meek, the strongest people are the meek, and therefore, they will inherit the earth.
Blessed Are The Meek Worksheet
- 1. Do you holler at family or colleagues?
- 2. Do you consistently interrupt people to voice your opinion during conversations?
- 3. When falsely accused, do you defend yourself with excessive vehemence?
- 4. Do you insist on having the last word in a discussion
- 5. Do you have the reputation of a person who remains calm in the middle of a tempest?
- 6. Do you try to choose words that will not hurt someone’s feelings?
- 7. Do you try to hurt or get even with the person who hurts you?
- 8. Do you want to tell that person off who breaks in front of you in line, steals your parking spot or cuts you off in traffic?
- 9. When you rebuke someone, does it make you feel good to see them embarrassed or angry?
- 10. Are you able to remain kind, gentle and submissive when you are fighting against some injustice?
There are some people who seem to be born naturally nice. That is not what the Lord means when He says, “Blessed are the meek.” That is something purely biological, the kind of things you get in animals. One dog is nicer than another; one a cat is nicer than another. That is not meekness. So it does not mean to be naturally nice or easy to get on with. Nor does it mean weakness in personality or character. Still less does it mean a spirit of compromise or peace at any price. How often are these things mistaken? How often the man is regarded as weak who says anything rather than having a disagreement? (Lloyd-Jones, D.M. Studies in the Sermon on the Mount).
Meekness/gentleness also implies self-control. So the man who is meek is able to balance his anger. It is strength under control. The meek person is strong! He is gentle, meek, and mild, but he is in control. He is as strong as steel.
Meekness implies submission to God, but it is not a submission that shrugs its shoulders and say, “Oh well, I can’t do anything about it anyway,” but it is an inactive submission, a choosing to accept God’s way without murmuring or disputing.
Meekness is neither cowardice, emotional flabbiness, lack of conviction, complacency, timidity nor the willingness to have peace at any cost.
Neither does meekness suggest indecisiveness, wishy-washiness, or a lack of confidence. He meek person is gentle and mild in his own cause, though he may be a lion in God’s cause or in defending others.
Meekness is not shyness or a withdrawn personality, as contrasted with that of an extrovert. Nor can
meekness be reduced to mere niceness.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
Amplified Bible Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!
To “hunger and thirst” for something implies a life-sustaining need that craves to be satisfied. God says in this beatitude that if we have this strong passion for righteousness, we shall be filled/satisfied with the righteousness of God.
Webster-Merriam’s definition of “righteousness”
Conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong <the laws do not always dictate righteousness, for what is legal is not always moral>
The Biblical meaning of righteousness: “uprightness with God.”
Christ fulfils all righteousness Matthew 3:15 But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.
Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33
Jesus hungered and thirsted so much after righteousness for us, that He gave Himself to make His righteousness, the righteousness of God, available to us. 1John 2:29
Christ is the righteousness of God. If we hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God, we will seek Him. When we ask God’s forgiveness in repentance of our sin, God will forgive us for Christ’s sake and fill us with His Spirit. Acts 5:31-32
What God says about His Beloved Son, Jesus.
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son”? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.” But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” And: You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.” But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool?” Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews1
Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 As we are being transformed to become more and more like Jesus, our Champion, He is faithful to stand in the gap for us when we “miss the mark,” but seek Him and pray for His forgiveness and His guidance.
In Philippians 1:9-11, Paul says: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God
Amplified Bible Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!
To “hunger and thirst” for something implies a life-sustaining need that craves to be satisfied. God says in this beatitude that if we have this strong passion for righteousness, we shall be filled/satisfied with the righteousness of God.
Webster-Merriam’s definition of “righteousness”
Conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong <the laws do not always dictate righteousness, for what is legal is not always moral>
The Biblical meaning of righteousness: “uprightness with God.”
Christ fulfils all righteousness Matthew 3:15 But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.
Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33
Jesus hungered and thirsted so much after righteousness for us, that He gave Himself to make His righteousness, the righteousness of God, available to us. 1John 2:29
Christ is the righteousness of God. If we hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God, we will seek Him. When we ask God’s forgiveness in repentance of our sin, God will forgive us for Christ’s sake and fill us with His Spirit. Acts 5:31-32
What God says about His Beloved Son, Jesus.
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son”? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.” But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” And: You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.” But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool?” Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews1
Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 As we are being transformed to become more and more like Jesus, our Champion, He is faithful to stand in the gap for us when we “miss the mark,” but seek Him and pray for His forgiveness and His guidance.
In Philippians 1:9-11, Paul says: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God
Those Who Do Hunger & Thirst After Righteousness Worksheet
"Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent Me, and from finishing His work." John 4:34, NLT
John Brown (Scottish clergyman and Bible commentator) notes: You must realize and acknowledge that you cannot be spiritually satisfied on your own...so it begins with being "poor in spirit". You come to see that the things the world enticingly parades before you, cannot satisfy you. You must hunger and thirst for what Christ alone provides. Your poverty and mourning over your sins bring you to see Christ alone is your Bread and Drink.
But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17, Amplified Version:
Are you hungering and thirsting for Christ Alone and the righteousness He gives? Then be assured that you will be satisfied in this life and in the one soon come!
Share your responses, if you feel comfortable to do so.
"Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent Me, and from finishing His work." John 4:34, NLT
John Brown (Scottish clergyman and Bible commentator) notes: You must realize and acknowledge that you cannot be spiritually satisfied on your own...so it begins with being "poor in spirit". You come to see that the things the world enticingly parades before you, cannot satisfy you. You must hunger and thirst for what Christ alone provides. Your poverty and mourning over your sins bring you to see Christ alone is your Bread and Drink.
But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17, Amplified Version:
Are you hungering and thirsting for Christ Alone and the righteousness He gives? Then be assured that you will be satisfied in this life and in the one soon come!
Share your responses, if you feel comfortable to do so.
- 1. Who are the righteous? (Hint: Matthew 25:37,46)
- 2. Am I righteous? Why, Why not?
- 3. Give an example of righteousness behavior.
- 4. What Did Jesus teach about righteousness?
- 5. Do I recognize other people to be unique and important children of God, accepting them and treating them with respect?
- 6. How am I developing my talents and utilizing them to serve others?
- 7. According to Titus 3:4-5, how do I achieve regeneration and justification to perfect righteousness?
- 8. What does it mean to be over-righteous/ self-righteous?
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Matt 5:7
From the Greek, eleos =mercy
Merciful (1655) eleemon from eleos = mercy refers to one who is actively compassionate or one who is benevolently merciful involving thought and action. It reflects being concerned about people in their need.
Originally (eleos) expressed only the emotion that was aroused by contact with a person who was suffering. By NT times, however, the concept incorporated compassionate response. A person who felt for and with a sufferer would be moved to help. This concept of mercy--as a concern for the afflicted that prompts giving help--is prominent in both the Gospels and the Epistles. (Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency)
In the Bible we are told to:
Show mercy – Thus says the Lord of hosts,” Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother.” Zechariah 7:9 NKJV
Love mercy - He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 NKJV
Keep mercy - Therefore return to your God! Hold fast to love and mercy, to righteousness and justice, and wait [expectantly] for your God continually! Hosea 12:6 AMP
Put on mercy - Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; Colossians 3:12 NKJV
God is merciful
When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” 16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. Gen 9:15-16
They refused to obey, nor were they mindful of Your wonders and miracles which You did among them; but they stiffened their necks and in their rebellion appointed a captain, that they might return to their bondage [in Egypt]. But You are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great steadfast love; and You did not forsake them. Nehemiah 9:16
With the kind and merciful You will show Yourself kind and merciful, with an upright man You will show Yourself upright, Ps 18:25
For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! Psalm 117:2
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12
So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. Joel 2:13
And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” Matthew15:32 [Four thousand fed, v 38]
The merciful, kind, and generous man benefits himself [for his deeds return to bless him], but he who is cruel and callous [to the wants of others] brings on himself retribution. Proverbs 11:17 Amp retribution= payback.
Jesus said: But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Matthew 9:13,
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 NKJV
For I desire and delight in dutiful steadfast love and goodness, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of and acquaintance with God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 AMP
Webster’s definition of “Grace”: the exercise of love, kindness, mercy, favor, disposition to benefit or serve another; favor bestowed or privilege conferred, the divine favor toward man the mercy of God as distinguished from His justice, also any benefits His mercy imparts divine love or pardon a state of acceptance with God enjoyment of the divine favor.
From the Greek, eleos =mercy
Merciful (1655) eleemon from eleos = mercy refers to one who is actively compassionate or one who is benevolently merciful involving thought and action. It reflects being concerned about people in their need.
Originally (eleos) expressed only the emotion that was aroused by contact with a person who was suffering. By NT times, however, the concept incorporated compassionate response. A person who felt for and with a sufferer would be moved to help. This concept of mercy--as a concern for the afflicted that prompts giving help--is prominent in both the Gospels and the Epistles. (Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency)
In the Bible we are told to:
Show mercy – Thus says the Lord of hosts,” Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother.” Zechariah 7:9 NKJV
Love mercy - He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 NKJV
Keep mercy - Therefore return to your God! Hold fast to love and mercy, to righteousness and justice, and wait [expectantly] for your God continually! Hosea 12:6 AMP
Put on mercy - Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; Colossians 3:12 NKJV
God is merciful
When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” 16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. Gen 9:15-16
They refused to obey, nor were they mindful of Your wonders and miracles which You did among them; but they stiffened their necks and in their rebellion appointed a captain, that they might return to their bondage [in Egypt]. But You are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great steadfast love; and You did not forsake them. Nehemiah 9:16
With the kind and merciful You will show Yourself kind and merciful, with an upright man You will show Yourself upright, Ps 18:25
For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! Psalm 117:2
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12
So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. Joel 2:13
And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” Matthew15:32 [Four thousand fed, v 38]
The merciful, kind, and generous man benefits himself [for his deeds return to bless him], but he who is cruel and callous [to the wants of others] brings on himself retribution. Proverbs 11:17 Amp retribution= payback.
Jesus said: But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Matthew 9:13,
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 NKJV
For I desire and delight in dutiful steadfast love and goodness, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of and acquaintance with God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 AMP
Webster’s definition of “Grace”: the exercise of love, kindness, mercy, favor, disposition to benefit or serve another; favor bestowed or privilege conferred, the divine favor toward man the mercy of God as distinguished from His justice, also any benefits His mercy imparts divine love or pardon a state of acceptance with God enjoyment of the divine favor.
Blessed Are Those Who Are Merciful Worksheet
- 1. What is the difference between mercy and grace?
- 2. Give an example of merciful behavior.
- 3. Can you give an example of when you were merciful to someone, or when you were not?
- 4. What does the Bible say about God’s mercy to us? (Hint: check the study sheet)
- 5. Jesus quoted Hosea 6:6 to His disciples. What do you think Jesus means by” I desire mercy and not sacrifice?
- 6. Why does God want us to be merciful?
- 7. According to the Bible, is there a benefit to being merciful?
- 8. According to the Bible, is there a consequence for not being merciful / compassionate?
- 9. Can you share a recent example of how God was merciful to you?
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
This verse should not be interpreted so as to negate other clear passages which require obedience to specific commands in order to become a Christian and ultimately enter heaven. Read John 3:3, 36; Roman 10:9-10, John1:12
What does this beatitude mean?
By pure in heart, Jesus is not saying that if we ever sin (have impurity in our hearts) we won’t see God. That would disqualify everyone, because the Bible clearly teaches that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" Jeremiah 17:9. Nevertheless God commands us to be holy: “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1Peter1:15-16
How can we have a pure or clean heart?
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. NAS
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 NKJV
23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. Proverbs 4:23-24 AMP
So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Acts15:8-9 NKJV
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Reading, meditating and hearing the Word of God renews the mind and enables us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to think, speak and act according to God's Word. Having a clean/pure heart is an ongoing process. (Philippians 4:7-8)
Who has a clean heart?
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Psalm 24:3-5 NKJV
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John1:9
So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Acts15:8-9 NKJV
Why do we need to have a pure/clean heart?
“See” is the Greek horao (found 449 times in the New Testament). The word may be used literally like in Mark12:15 or figuratively as in to experience something. He who refuses to “obey” the Son will not “see life” John. 3:36, i.e., receive, enjoy, experience it. When a person submits to the conditions of the “new birth” process, he “sees” or “enters” the kingdom of God, that is, he receives the blessings of citizenship in the kingdom of heaven.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Psalm 51:10-13 KJV
A clean, pure heart is essential to serving God, and experiencing intimacy with Him. Your heart includes your mind, will, and emotions. To be continually inconsiderate, unforgiving, critical, and distrustful, hardens your heart. This is sinful behavior which affects our relationship with God, with other people, and makes us bitter and petty. It is essential to be pure in heart, if we want to be in fellowship with God and “see” Him. Renewing the mind daily by studying scripture and meditating on the Word, praying and worshipping God for who He is and for what He has done will transform the heart.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 NKJV
This verse should not be interpreted so as to negate other clear passages which require obedience to specific commands in order to become a Christian and ultimately enter heaven. Read John 3:3, 36; Roman 10:9-10, John1:12
What does this beatitude mean?
By pure in heart, Jesus is not saying that if we ever sin (have impurity in our hearts) we won’t see God. That would disqualify everyone, because the Bible clearly teaches that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" Jeremiah 17:9. Nevertheless God commands us to be holy: “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1Peter1:15-16
How can we have a pure or clean heart?
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. NAS
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 NKJV
23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. Proverbs 4:23-24 AMP
So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Acts15:8-9 NKJV
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Reading, meditating and hearing the Word of God renews the mind and enables us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to think, speak and act according to God's Word. Having a clean/pure heart is an ongoing process. (Philippians 4:7-8)
Who has a clean heart?
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Psalm 24:3-5 NKJV
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John1:9
So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Acts15:8-9 NKJV
Why do we need to have a pure/clean heart?
“See” is the Greek horao (found 449 times in the New Testament). The word may be used literally like in Mark12:15 or figuratively as in to experience something. He who refuses to “obey” the Son will not “see life” John. 3:36, i.e., receive, enjoy, experience it. When a person submits to the conditions of the “new birth” process, he “sees” or “enters” the kingdom of God, that is, he receives the blessings of citizenship in the kingdom of heaven.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Psalm 51:10-13 KJV
A clean, pure heart is essential to serving God, and experiencing intimacy with Him. Your heart includes your mind, will, and emotions. To be continually inconsiderate, unforgiving, critical, and distrustful, hardens your heart. This is sinful behavior which affects our relationship with God, with other people, and makes us bitter and petty. It is essential to be pure in heart, if we want to be in fellowship with God and “see” Him. Renewing the mind daily by studying scripture and meditating on the Word, praying and worshipping God for who He is and for what He has done will transform the heart.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 NKJV
Blessed are the Pure in Heart Worksheet
Share your responses, if you feel comfortable to do so.
Share your responses, if you feel comfortable to do so.
- 1. What does it mean to be pure in heart?
- 2. Give an example of what will keep us from being pure of heart.
- 3. Why do we need to be pure of heart?
- 4. How can we become pure of heart?
- 5. What does the following suggest? “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2Tim 2:22
- 6. Why does God want us to be pure in heart?
- 7. According to Acts15:8-9, who helps us to be pure of heart?
- 8. Can you give an example of how the Holy Spirit inspired you to do “ the right thing” that pleased God in spite of what you “felt justified” in doing?
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9
Peacemaker: A person, group, or nation that tries to make peace, especially by reconciling parties who disagree, quarrel, or fight. Synonyms: intermediary, conciliator, mediator, arbitrator. Webster Merriam & Random House
Who is a peacemaker?
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John14:27 NASB
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16:33 AMP
How do we become peacemakers?
Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!
2Thessalonians 3:16 NASB
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Romans 14:19
We pray to God for peace. We strive to maintain peace and harmony. We encourage each other.
Who are the sons of God?
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14 NASB
So, Spirit-filled believers who are led of the Holy Spirit, are called the sons of God. As God’s Holy Spirit guides our decisions and actions, we are able through the power of the Holy Spirit to glorify and honor Him.
What must we do to be called the sons of God?
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world; Phil2:12-15 NASB
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 1John 3:1 NASB
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:43-44 NASB
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Luke 6:35 NASB
In conclusion: We recognize our wretchedness before God. We acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead after He died on the cross for our sins. We proclaim by faith that we have been adopted into God’s family. As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers. As ambassadors for Christ we are called to be “about our Father’s business” by spreading the full message of the gospel to others so that they may also know true peace with God through Christ Jesus.
Peacemaker: A person, group, or nation that tries to make peace, especially by reconciling parties who disagree, quarrel, or fight. Synonyms: intermediary, conciliator, mediator, arbitrator. Webster Merriam & Random House
Who is a peacemaker?
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John14:27 NASB
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16:33 AMP
How do we become peacemakers?
Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!
2Thessalonians 3:16 NASB
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Romans 14:19
We pray to God for peace. We strive to maintain peace and harmony. We encourage each other.
Who are the sons of God?
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14 NASB
So, Spirit-filled believers who are led of the Holy Spirit, are called the sons of God. As God’s Holy Spirit guides our decisions and actions, we are able through the power of the Holy Spirit to glorify and honor Him.
What must we do to be called the sons of God?
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world; Phil2:12-15 NASB
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 1John 3:1 NASB
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:43-44 NASB
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Luke 6:35 NASB
In conclusion: We recognize our wretchedness before God. We acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead after He died on the cross for our sins. We proclaim by faith that we have been adopted into God’s family. As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers. As ambassadors for Christ we are called to be “about our Father’s business” by spreading the full message of the gospel to others so that they may also know true peace with God through Christ Jesus.
Blessed are the Peacemakers Worksheet
Write your responses and be as specific as possible.
Blessed are the Peacemakers Worksheet
Write your responses and be as specific as possible.
- 1. Give an example of what it means to be a peacemaker?
- 2. Why do we need to be peacemakers?
- 3. Have you been a peacemaker?
- 4. How can we become peacemakers?
- 5. What are we commanded to do as peacemakers?
- 6. Who are the sons of God?
- 7. How do we become sons of God? Do we have to earn this privilege?
- 8. How do you continue to grow as a child of God?
- 9. As God’s ambassador, how have you demonstrated the love of God to someone recently?
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10
Jesus goes on to say: ” How blessed you are when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of vicious lies about you because you follow me! Rejoice, be glad, because your reward in heaven is great; they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.” Matthew 5:11-12 (CJB)
Persecution, ridicule, and discrimination can follow when we tell unbelievers what God is doing in our lives, or when we share the gospel, or just by our godly lifestyle, which is a silent witness that convicts others who are actively practicing sin.
Following Christ is not for the undecided or faint-hearted. Being a follower of Christ is an ongoing determination to
trust God, to be obedient to His Word, to not be ashamed of Christ, and to continually praise Him with a thankful heart no matter what our circumstance is.
When we suffer rejection because of our relationship with Christ and persevere in trusting, worshipping and representing Christ, God is pleased.
Reasons for Persecution
Persecution is caused by hatred of God:
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. John 15:20-23
Persecution is caused by ignorance of God:
I have told you these things so that you won’t be caught by surprise. They will ban you from the synagogue; in fact, the time will come when anyone who kills you will think he is serving God! 3 They will do these things because they have understood neither the Father nor me. John 16:1-3
Persecution is caused by hatred of Christ:
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
Persecution is caused by preaching the cross:
And as for me, brothers, if I am still preaching that circumcision is necessary, why am I still being persecuted? If that were the case, my preaching about the execution-stake would cause no offense whatever. Gal 5:11
Note: Paul shows how the legalists avoid persecution and “the offense of the cross” by insisting on circumcision and law-keeping (Unger’s Bible Handbook)
It is those who want to look good outwardly who are trying to get you to be circumcised. The only reason they are doing it is to escape persecution for preaching about Messiah’s execution-stake (Christ’s cross) Galatians 6:12 CJB
Note: The Judaizers were trying to appear spiritual by becoming circumcised and demanding that others become circumcised. By teaching that all Christians should become circumcised, the Judaizers were trying to make Christianity a sect of Judaism. (Nelson’s Compact Series- Compact Bible Commentary)
Persecution is caused by godly living:
Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand]. 2Timothy 3:12 AMP
The Christian’s Attitude under Persecution
Flee from persecution:
When they persecute you in one town [that is, pursue you in a manner that would injure you and cause you to suffer because of your belief], flee to another town; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Matthew 10:23 AMP
Rejoice in persecution:
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. Matthew 5:12 AMP
Be patient under persecution:
We exhaust ourselves working with our own hands for our living. When we are cursed, we keep on blessing; when we are persecuted, we go on putting up with it; 1Corinthians 4:12 CJB
Glorify God in persecution:
But if [one is ill-treated and suffers] as a Christian [which he is contemptuously called], let him not be ashamed, but give glory to God that he is [deemed worthy to suffer] in this name. 1Peter4:16 AMP
Pray during persecution:
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Matthew 5:44 NKJV
Don’t be discouraged - God has provided all that we may need to overcome:
The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25 NKJV
Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. 1So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground. So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people. Ephesians 6:11-18 GNT
Read also Isaiah 41:10 and 13, Psalm 91, Psalm 86:7
Reward of the Righteous
The wicked man earns deceitful wages, but he who sows righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) shall have a sure reward [permanent and satisfying]. Proverbs 11:18 AMP
The Lord recompense you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under Whose wings you have come to take refuge! Ruth 12:2
But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 NASB
Rejoice, be glad, because your reward in heaven is great, they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.
Matthew 5:12 CJB
But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:4
But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6
But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:17-18 NASB
Look up theses scriptures describing how rewards are obtained:
Keeping God’s commandments….. Proverbs 19:11
Spreading righteousness….. Proverbs11:18 Rewards obtained at Christ’s return:
Fearing God’s commandments….. Proverbs 13:13 After the Resurrection….. Revelation 11:18
Feeding an enemy….. Proverbs 25:21-22 According to works….. Revelation 22:12
Simple service….. Matthew 6:1
Grace through faith….. Romans 4:16
Faithful service….. Colosians3:23-24
Trusting God….. Hebrews 11:6
Jesus goes on to say: ” How blessed you are when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of vicious lies about you because you follow me! Rejoice, be glad, because your reward in heaven is great; they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.” Matthew 5:11-12 (CJB)
Persecution, ridicule, and discrimination can follow when we tell unbelievers what God is doing in our lives, or when we share the gospel, or just by our godly lifestyle, which is a silent witness that convicts others who are actively practicing sin.
Following Christ is not for the undecided or faint-hearted. Being a follower of Christ is an ongoing determination to
trust God, to be obedient to His Word, to not be ashamed of Christ, and to continually praise Him with a thankful heart no matter what our circumstance is.
When we suffer rejection because of our relationship with Christ and persevere in trusting, worshipping and representing Christ, God is pleased.
Reasons for Persecution
Persecution is caused by hatred of God:
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. John 15:20-23
Persecution is caused by ignorance of God:
I have told you these things so that you won’t be caught by surprise. They will ban you from the synagogue; in fact, the time will come when anyone who kills you will think he is serving God! 3 They will do these things because they have understood neither the Father nor me. John 16:1-3
Persecution is caused by hatred of Christ:
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
Persecution is caused by preaching the cross:
And as for me, brothers, if I am still preaching that circumcision is necessary, why am I still being persecuted? If that were the case, my preaching about the execution-stake would cause no offense whatever. Gal 5:11
Note: Paul shows how the legalists avoid persecution and “the offense of the cross” by insisting on circumcision and law-keeping (Unger’s Bible Handbook)
It is those who want to look good outwardly who are trying to get you to be circumcised. The only reason they are doing it is to escape persecution for preaching about Messiah’s execution-stake (Christ’s cross) Galatians 6:12 CJB
Note: The Judaizers were trying to appear spiritual by becoming circumcised and demanding that others become circumcised. By teaching that all Christians should become circumcised, the Judaizers were trying to make Christianity a sect of Judaism. (Nelson’s Compact Series- Compact Bible Commentary)
Persecution is caused by godly living:
Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand]. 2Timothy 3:12 AMP
The Christian’s Attitude under Persecution
Flee from persecution:
When they persecute you in one town [that is, pursue you in a manner that would injure you and cause you to suffer because of your belief], flee to another town; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Matthew 10:23 AMP
Rejoice in persecution:
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. Matthew 5:12 AMP
Be patient under persecution:
We exhaust ourselves working with our own hands for our living. When we are cursed, we keep on blessing; when we are persecuted, we go on putting up with it; 1Corinthians 4:12 CJB
Glorify God in persecution:
But if [one is ill-treated and suffers] as a Christian [which he is contemptuously called], let him not be ashamed, but give glory to God that he is [deemed worthy to suffer] in this name. 1Peter4:16 AMP
Pray during persecution:
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Matthew 5:44 NKJV
Don’t be discouraged - God has provided all that we may need to overcome:
The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25 NKJV
Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. 1So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground. So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people. Ephesians 6:11-18 GNT
Read also Isaiah 41:10 and 13, Psalm 91, Psalm 86:7
Reward of the Righteous
The wicked man earns deceitful wages, but he who sows righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) shall have a sure reward [permanent and satisfying]. Proverbs 11:18 AMP
The Lord recompense you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under Whose wings you have come to take refuge! Ruth 12:2
But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 NASB
Rejoice, be glad, because your reward in heaven is great, they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.
Matthew 5:12 CJB
But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:4
But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6
But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:17-18 NASB
Look up theses scriptures describing how rewards are obtained:
Keeping God’s commandments….. Proverbs 19:11
Spreading righteousness….. Proverbs11:18 Rewards obtained at Christ’s return:
Fearing God’s commandments….. Proverbs 13:13 After the Resurrection….. Revelation 11:18
Feeding an enemy….. Proverbs 25:21-22 According to works….. Revelation 22:12
Simple service….. Matthew 6:1
Grace through faith….. Romans 4:16
Faithful service….. Colosians3:23-24
Trusting God….. Hebrews 11:6
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake worksheet
- 1. Give an example of how believers are persecuted worldwide.
- 2. Are believers persecuted in America? If so, how?
- 3. Have you ever been persecuted or mistreated because of your faith in Christ?
- 4. When we are ridiculed or rejected for our faith, how does Jesus expect us to behave?
- 5. What are some of the causes of persecution for faith in Christ?
- 6. What are Christians under persecution encouraged to do?
- 7. Name some results of patient acceptance of persecution for Christ’s sake.
- 8. According to Proverbs13:13 what happens to the person who despises the Word?
- 9. What have you learned from studying the Beatitudes of Christ that you will apply in your own life?