Thinking someone else being in the wrong entitles us to anger. While we can and should reevaluate relationships when betrayals happen. Allowing bitterness to flow through us, regardless of the circumstances will always harm our spirit. Which will spill out into our actions, and affect our outcomes. as it says in the NASB version of Ephesians 4:26-27. “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.” An opportunity to embitter your heart by inspiring you to hold anger in it for far too long.
Assuming a righteous life is always an easy life. This is more about what we want to believe to be true. Our ignorance of this subject has led to much doubt. Many who have believed this have left religion assuming it must be false since it clearly doesn’t work that way. Never realizing scripture acknowledges this incongruence in Ecclesiastes 8:11-13. “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of mankind among them are fully given to do evil. Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will go well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly. But it will not go well for the evil person and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God.” Or as King Solomon says in the chapter before in 7:14. “When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.” Our response should be of careful consideration, instead of jumping to juvenile conclusions. This leads to our third point.
Assuming God is only concerned with our behavior. Humanity definitely gets overly fixated on this one. However, God sees the sickness behind the symptoms. Then addresses the root of the problem, not just the rotten fruit of it. Not only that, but He is also concerned about where your path is taking you. We are meant to be “set apart” for a place in God's kingdom, after all. That all begins with a good foundation, which begins in the heart. We will constantly struggle to understand how and why God is doing what he is doing if we look at his discipline so one-dimensionally. Author and councilor John Eldredge puts it so well with this quote. “The more we've become accustomed to seeking life apart from God, the more ‘abnormal and stressful’ it seems ‘to look for God directly.’ Especially as a father, fathering us. But it is worth it. . . So much of what we misinterpret as hassles or trials or screw-ups on our part are in fact God fathering us, taking us through something in order to strengthen us, or heal us, or dismantle some unholy thing in us.” Again, our response should be to look more closely and deeply. Consider the why behind the behavior as God likely is. We can’t overcome it if we don’t truly understand the problem. This leads to our final point.
Getting too fixated on this world. We often gauge success in life by what we accomplish or acquire here. Yet never consider the afterlife. So much of what Jesus taught had more long-term ramifications than the here and now. For example, the beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-12. Many of his points are more about the world to come than this one. Yet our preoccupation with the tangible often blinds us to the ways of heart and spirit of the true disciple. So let's have a closer look at the passage.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. This seems similar to Paul’s words of “perfect in weakness.” (2nd Corinthians 12:1-10) In other words, reliance on self alone is not enough. It’s those who acknowledge and own this that receive God’s strength. This is what enables you to take hold of the kingdom of Heaven, not mere willpower. What should your response to a poor spirit be?
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Mourning is a process we often resist, we often try to find comfort by taking every possible shortcut we can think of to avoid the feelings of grieving. Inevitably it always magnifies our sorrow in the end. Mourning is in fact a critical part of the healing process. God comforts those who don’t forsake this. How do you respond to your own mourning, or the grieving of others for that matter?
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. The original Greek word translated as “meek” is a bit inadequate. While accurate, it’s far from complete. It has been explained to me this way. This was a word used to describe a domesticated mustang. These were the horses most desired by Roman soldiers since they were far less timid riding into battle. As opposed to the hoses born in captivity. It’s about focusing that fierceness for a cause, rather than just chaos. Not neutralizing fierceness as we may assume when we hear meek. It speaks to the idea that being “set apart” for purpose is part of holiness, and leads to inheriting the earth. How will you respond when God tries to tame your fierceness for his kingdom?
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Hunger and thirst are often associated with the flesh, we naturally seek fulfillment physically. However, in the spirit, we need righteousness to be fulfilled. What do you hunger or crave for? Do you make assumptions and indulge or suppress them accordingly? Or do you seek God for wisdom in the matter? (James 4:2-3)
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. This is very much a, you reap in heaven what you sow on earth concept. (See also Luke 6:37-38) In a world that often resorts to such terrible things to get what they want out of this world as if it won't come back to haunt them. Will you respond like them?
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. While the, you get out what you put into it concept seems obvious enough here. It seems like we apply it to others more than ourselves. You just can’t force sincerity though. There is more to being pure of heart than mere actions. Will you respond by facing your past, or continue to avoid our scars as we always have. Making excuses for everything, and allowing our hearts to be contaminated. This will affect our ability to see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Apparently, a peacemaker in the original Greek means one who bravely declares God's terms which makes someone whole. Not the abolition of war or violence. Not just what makes us righteous either. but what enables us to us be able to live righteously; wholeness. I guess it only makes sense that the teachers who skip over wholeness and simply define righteousness are more pot-stirrers than peacemakers. Yet they insist that they are the true children of God. Will you respond as a true peacemaker, or like a pharisee?
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. This is something we just assume avoid. Yet, this is where compromise of heart creeps in. Putting our inheritance in the kingdom of heaven at risk. How do you respond to persecution? As someone who puts all their hope in this world, or one who puts their hope in the world to come?
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. This point is so important Jesus reiterates it. In a world where people are motivated by acceptance, approval, validation, and inclusion. We often compromise ourselves to avoid persecution. The new detail Jesus adds of false accusations needs to be addressed specifically though. It just seems to be in our nature to defend ourselves, to rationalize our choices. Social media seems to have exaggerated the practice. How do you respond to insults?
Let me close by simply restating our opening statement. The consistent outcome of life is determined by what is allowed to flow through the heart. Over time, what happens to me is far less significant than how I respond to what happens to me.
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