WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MAY 26 2022 Â
TOPIC: THE BEATITUDES SHOULD BE YOUR ATTITUDES (2)
BY T. O. BANSO
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3 New King James Version)
Yesterday, while considering the topic “The beatitudes should be your attitudes”, we looked at four out of the eight beatitudes that Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 5:3-12. As we learnt, there is a shorter version of the beatitudes in Luke 6:20-23, which consist of four beatitudes, followed by four woes from verses 24-26.
We have looked already at four attitudes we should cultivate from the beatitudes. These are traits or attitudes different from the attitudes of those who are not the followers of Chrrist. The beatitudes should be the attitudes of every child of God.
The four attitudes we considered yesterday and the beatitudes are:
1. Regard yourself as spiritually poor without Jesus in your life. This we learnt from the first beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3 New King James Version).
2. Humble yourself and genuinely repent of your sin. This is from the second beatitude which says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4 New King James Version).
3. Be meek. The third beatitude says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5 New King James Version).
4. Hunger and thirst for righteousness. Jesus said in the fourth beatitude, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6 New King James Version).
All these four beatitudes should be your attitudes. From the remaining four beatitudes, we can learn the following attitudes:
5. Be merciful. The fifth beatitude says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7 New King James Version). Mercy is a good attitude a child of God should possess, for God is merciful. Psalm 116:5 says gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yes, our God is merciful. The Lord is very compassionate and merciful (James 5:11b). As Joel 2:13b says, He is gracious and merciful.
When we are merciful, we show that we are truly the children of God. Luke 6:36 says to be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Cultivate the attitude of being merciful to others. The man who has had no mercy will be judged without mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). Whatever a man sows, he will also reap (Galatians 6:7). If you’re merciful, you’re doing it for yourself. As Proverbs 11:17 says, the merciful man does good for his soul, but he who is cruel troubles his flesh. Show mercy to others.
6. Maintain a pure heart. You can see this in the sixth beatitude. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8 New King James Version). Those who cultivate a pure heart will see God. In other words, those whose hearts are devoid of sin will enjoy God’s presence. This is being Holy at heart unlike the external pretense of holiness by the Pharisees.
The Amplified Bible puts this sixth beatitude this way: “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.” From this translation, we can learn that we should have a pure heart, which refers to integrity, moral courage, and godly character.
Psalm 24:3-4  says, “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully” (New King James Version). Take note of the phrase “clean hands and a pure heart.” Purify your heart. Anyone who has the hope of seeing God should purify himself as God is pure (1 John 3:3). Only those whose hearts are pure or have clean hearts shall see God.
7. Be a peacemaker. This is another important attitude a Christian should have. The seventh beatitude says,  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9 New King James Version). In other words, “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God” (Amplified Bible). Make and maintain peace. Work for peace everywhere. Those who do so shall be called the sons of God.
God has called us to live in peace with others. Psalm 34:14 says to depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Similarly, Romans 14:19a says we should pursue the things which make for peace. According to Romans 12:18, you should, as much as possible, do your part to live in peace with everyone. When we pursue peace, work for peace, or live in peace with everyone, we show that we are the children of God and manifest His character.
8. Endure persecution. You can learn this attitude from the last beatitude. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10 New King James Version). As the Amplified Bible puts it, “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].”
Jesus didn’t hide from his followers the fact that they would be persecuted. He said as He was persecuted, we shall be persecuted. “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20a New King James Version).
We are not to lament, grumble, or renounce our faith because of persecution but rejoice exceedingly because our reward is in heaven. Others before us suffered persecution. Jesus said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12 New King James Version).Â
2 Timothy 3:12 says everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Although persecution is not easy for the flesh to bear, endure it as you depend on the Holy Spirit. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us (2 Timothy 2:12).
Let these eight beatitudes be your attitudes. The Holy Spirit will help you.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now:Â O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS:Â I shall be merciful to others and not be hardhearted. Holy Spirit, help me to maintain a pure heart, a heart devoid of sin. Strengthen me to endure persecution and not to deny Jesus. I shall endure to the end and be saved in Jesus’ name. I shall reign with Jesus. Father, help all Your children to make the beatitudes their attitudes.
(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
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