blessed. ( Hebrews 12 v 2 - 3 )

'Blessed are those who are persecuted because of  righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven ' ( Matthew 5 v 10 )  Isaiah ,Jeremiah,Daniel,Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego,Stephen,Paul, Peter, Tyndale,Vahid, Benhnam,Mohammed, Alireza, and millions more could be added to this list. The question is what have they all got in common,they are those souls that have been persecuted for righteousness sake.In Luke 6 v 23, our Saviour tells us when we are persecuted for righteousness sake,'Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because  great is your reward in heaven. For this is how their fathers treated the prophets'.For whatever reason I have never been persecuted,it may come,God knows,but the fact is this world has never been a friend  of the church of Christ,and never will be,we should never be surprised at Christians being persecuted. It may sound strange when our Saviour tells us to rejoice and leap for joy,how can one do that,how did Paul and Silas sing and praise God when they were thrown into prison after being beaten,?.The reason was,the future glory,spoken of as a reward by Jesus.Let us remember ,whatever we may be suffering ,whatever persecutions we may be enduring it will be worth it all when we see Jesus.

Blessed ( Jude 3 )

'Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God',  (Matthew 5 v 9 )Last time we consider how God the peacemaker made it possible for humanity to know Him ,through Jesus dying on the cross.  Now let us consider what it means for those who are Christians to be  peacemakers,now of course it does not mean peace at any price,peace. Someone has said it is not appeasement ,it is Christians seeking to live at peace with our neighbours, our families, and especially in our churches.I know a brother who is dreadfully concerned about the leader of the church he attends,who would profess to be an evangelical but is not,what should he do?. Some have advised leaving,but he does not feel he can do this at this time. does he stir up animosity? . When the reformation came in ,Luther did not go along with those who  sought to overthrow those in authority. My friend wants to be a peacemaker,as all Gods children should be, may God help us all and grant unto  us the wisdom and the grace we need in every situation to be a peacemaker..

Blessed ( Romans 15 v 33 )

' Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God'  ( Matthew 5 v 9 )God is the great peacemaker, mankind is both at war with each other and with God. Look at the history of the 20th century awful beyond words to describe, ever since Cain killed his brother Able  ( Genesis 4  ) the world has been like a slaughter house . What about God ?, well the following scripture tells us clearly man kinds attitude towards Him,no one seeks God,(Romans 3 v  11)  There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Rom 3 v 18 ) ,Ungodly ( Romans 5 v 6 ) Sinners  Rom 3 v 23 ), The cross shows the terrible animosity towards God, and yet that very cross was the supreme act of God,in making , peace ,in enabling mankind to be reconciled  to God ( Colossians 1  v 20 ) We read in Romans 5 v 1, Therefore since we have been justified through faith,we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. ' We will go on to look at  what it means for those who are peacemakers next time.

Blessed ( Jeremiah 29 v 13 )

 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God'  ( Matthew 5 v 8 )  It was the old prophet Samuel who was told something very important when he was sent to anoint a new king,'' The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart''.Luther wrote,'Christ...wants us to have a pure heart,though outwardly a person may be a drudge in the kitchen,black sooty, and grimy, doing all sorts of dirty work, Again, ''Though a common labourer, a shoemaker or a blacksmith may be dirty and sooty or may smell because he is covered with dirt and pitch......and though he stinks outwardly,inwardly  he is pure incense before God because he ponders the word of God and obeys it''.

Blessed. ( Ephesians 2 v 1 - 5 )

'Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy',  ( Matthew 5 v 7 ) God is merciful,the fact that mankind is still in existence is evident of His mercy. John Stott ,writes ,'Of course the world( at least when it is true to its own nature) is unmerciful, as indeed also the church in its worldliness has often been. The world prefers to insulate itself against the pains and calamities of men. It finds revenge delicious, and forgiveness, by comparison ,tame.'The Nazi's never showed mercy, and they reaped a dreadful price when the Russians invaded Germany.In Judges one we read of a king called     Adoni Bezek armies were defeated by Israel,and he was captured, they cut off his thumbs and big toes.That may have appeared cruel ,but then we read of him confessing how he captured  seventy kings,and had their toes and thumbs cut off. In the OT we have a wonderful story of David showing mercy to Saul's grandson,Saul who became Davids persecutor  (2 Samuel 9 )Let us who have received Mercy from God,remember to show mercy, and we will be blessed.Shakespeare wrote as regards mercy,' It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes'.

Blessed ( Isaiah 26 v 9 )

'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness ,for they will be filled.'  ( Matthew 5 v 6 ) Now let me make it clear that these words are spoken to those who are not in anyway trying to establish their own righteousness.It is John Stott who points out that the Jews sought to establish their acceptance by with God by  their own efforts CP Romans 9 v 30 -10 v 4 )The righteousness that saves anyone is the righteousness of Christ,and that alone.Those who have come to trust in Jesus will have a burning desire ,as one writer puts it,'they have passion for righteousness in their own lives, they long to be honest, people of integrity,purity,a thirst to be like Christ.As Luther wrote,'What is required,..is a hunger and thirst for righteousness that can never be curbed or stopped or sated,one that looks for nothing and cares for nothing except the accomplishment and maintenance of the right,  despising everything that hinders that end. If you cannot  make the world pious,then do what you can'.

Blessed ( Matthew 21 v 5 )

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  (Matthew 5 v 5 ) According to Cruden's concordance the word meek's meaning is as follows ,'Gentle,kind,not easily provoked,'and so the list goes on. It was Jesus who described Himself as being meek and lowly of heart (Matthew 11 v 29 ) It is the apostle who wrote of the'meekness and gentleness of Christ (2 Corinthians 10 v 1).Let us remember that Christs life was not one  of  seclusion and isolation,but a life facing  difficulties.Often  entertainment shows their hero's as avenging angles,but Jesus came into this as a weak child,and he left it as a weak individual on a cross. ( 2 Corinthians 13 v 4 )During His earthly ministry he choose the path of meekness,dealing with those who opposed him not in fire and brimstone,but with words of kindness,displaying a godly spirit of meekness.As we His followers,follow in His footsteps may God  enable us to remember,that we shall inherit the earth as we walk the path of meekness.










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