Our Challenge

 N. T. #40 "Our Challenge" 

April 3, 2023

Matthew 5-Part 10

LET IT GLOW

Before we leave the Beatitudes, let's take another look at them. This is Jesus' longest recorded sermon. They were traits that Jesus was looking for in His followers. He said that God blesses those who live out those traits. Each one is an almost direct contradiction of society's typical way of life. He pointed out in the last one that opposition will come to those who develop these traits. The best example we have of each trait is found in Jesus Himself. 

Our challenge as believers and followers of Christ is to:

• Have a poor in spirit-humility;
• Mourn over our sins; 
• Have a gentle spirit;
• Hunger and thirst for righteousness;
• Be merciful;
• Be pure in heart;
• Be a peacemaker;
• Expect persecution. (verses 3-10) [Life Application Study Bible]

Our goal is to please God and become more like Jesus. The Beatitudes challenge the way we live each day. 

LET IT GROW

God wants us to experience His joy. (John 15:11) Yet we cannot experience His joy until we have mourned over our sin. If we treat our sin lightly, we demonstrate that we have no sense of enormity of our offense against Almighty God. Our sin caused the death of God's Son-Jesus. We fall short of what God intends. (Romans 3:23)

Repentance comes only when we acknowledge that our transgression has come from a heart that is far from God, and we are brokenhearted over our grievous offenses against Holy God. do not try and skip the grieving process of repentance in order to move on to experience joy. He forgives, comforts and fills us with joy. When we are filled with self, we cannot be filled with righteousness. 

Meekness means a life that is submissive to the Holy Spirit, giving Him the freedom to make any changes He knows are necessary. Meekness involves a self-control that comes from trusting God. Jesus said that in relinquishing control over our lives to God, we will gain life in abundance!            [Resource: Experiencing God Day-By-Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby]

LET IT GO

There is none like You, Jesus.

You are pure, righteous, humble, peace, merciful.

Forgive us when we fail You.

Please fill us with Your Spirit so we are more like You, Jesus.