I just finished reading Matthew 5.1-12 again at the beginning of this year! It is most often referred to as the “Beatitudes.” In that passage Jesus informed His disciples about who was truly “Blessed” as they lived out the culture of the “Kingdom of Heaven.”
As I read the passage I thought about how “counter cultural” these “Beatitudes” are in contrast to the way the broader culture thinks and what it values! Those who mourn over their failures and sin are “blessed”! Those who are gentle and non-assertive are “blessed!” Those who are “hungry” and “thirsty” to be righteous (and NOT self-satisfied with their lifestyle) are “blessed”! Those who are continually kind and merciful to others (even the undeserving) are “blessed”! Those who value a “pure heart” (an “inside-out” purity) are “blessed”! Those who value and promote “peace” – peace without ethical or moral compromise – are “blessed”! And finally, believe it or not, the persecuted, abused, reviled people because of their righteous lives or because they are devoted to Jesus are “blessed”!
I have to tell you all of those fly in the face of what the broader culture – the secular, godless, self-focused world – the world that operates and lives without reference to God, tends to value!
And the incredible blessings that accrue for those living by Kingdom values – Christ-centered values? God-given comfort! Incredible enjoyment of everything around you because God has given it to you to enjoy! Satisfaction in God-given mercy, forgiveness, and righteousness – not just a little of it – an abundance, a profusion of it! Imagine, God’s calls you His child… More than that, one day actually being in His presence and seeing Him face to face! And finally, the great reward of every imaginable blessing to be found in the Kingdom of Heaven…YOURS!
Wow!! Makes me want to structure 2014 and every year (and day) thereafter around Kingdom values… I want to live here and now by the values and culture of “another kingdom” – the Heavenly Kingdom – The Kingdom of GOD!
Coffee With The Lord 