What’s Your (Be) Attitude?

Christians commonly refer to themselves as “blessed.” In James 1:17, it is written that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. This tells us that God bestows good blessings. It also says God is the Father of Lights as such there is no darkness. Without darkness, there are no shadows that shift. God is always the same. As Christians we honor God, thanking Him for their blessings. Others may simply declare themselves lucky. 

About Blessings 

1.  A blessing is God’s favor in our lives. He will bless us with all that we need.
2. A blessing has to do with God’s purpose in your life. Through blessings He gives you the power to do what He created you to do.
3. Blessings are based on God’s promises and on His word. If it contradicts what He has said or promised it is not God’s blessing.
4. Blessings may be material They may come in the form of children, jobs, houses, good food, and the like. 
5. Material blessings pale in light of the spiritual blessings that we receive as our Kingdom inheritance from God. His promised spiritual blessings include restoration, justice, mercy, eternal life, and our relationship with Him. We are made whole. In John 5:6 (KJ21) Jesus spoke to the man with an infirmity “Wilt thou be made whole?”  

The common factor in all the blessings in the Bible is God’s Kingdom. Blessings that we receive, whether material or spiritual, all have to do with the coming of God’s Kingdom, whether here and now in small glimpses, or eternally when God makes all things new. This promise is found in Revelation 21:5 (NASB) “He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.” Blessings begin the process of restoration and they offer us a glimpse of God’s promise ultimately to renew and restore all things.

I began this blog as a look at the Beatitudes and quickly realized it was more than just a list of blessings God bestows on us. Dr. Michael Youseff has observed that “The Beatitudes are inseparable and interdependent. They are not a cafeteria menu where you pick and choose. They form a complete mindset and lifestyle centered on Christ, who is the ultimate source of our blessedness.”

Journey Markers. We need to look at the Beatitudes in a different manner. They are not a menu to choose from. “I think I’ll be a peacemaker. That will make me a son of God.” Instead, they seem to be a progression from our present state in the world to God’s Kingdom. Notably, Jesus did not issue any imperatives in the Beatitudes. He is describing the path of the Kingdom. 

Suppose you are driving on a long trip. As you traverse you likely have constructed “markers” for your progress. “We made it across the state line, we still have a way to go. We just pulled off the interstate, we’re almost there” are our markers. Henry Blackaby wrote about spiritual markers. He defined a spiritual marker as a time of transition, decision, or direction when we clearly know that God has guided us. Like spiritual markers, the Beatitudes show our progress. It is not of primary importance which step you are on, but that you are simply on the right path and headed in the right direction.

Let’s take a brief look at these eight (or nine) “Blesseds” as I called  them when growing up. Matthew 5:3-11.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Not a natural disposition, but the result of a deliberate choice.  Poor in spirit is spiritual humility, looking at our moral and spiritual inadequacies.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” The result of our sharing with Jesus sorrow over our sin and the sins of the world. This is not just grief counseling, it is grief over personal sin and a compassionate awareness of the brokenness in our world.

“Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. ”In taking on Christ’s spirit we become gentle (or meek). This is from the Greek word praus, which means mild, humble, meek, gentleness of spirit, and meekness towards God. It means we are wholly relying on God rather than our own strength and abilities.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” Our passion for righteousness has us longing for honesty, integrity, and justice in society. Our soul becomes receptive to the voice and message of Christ.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” Mercy has been described as an active compassion to human need. 

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Those who are pure in heart have a single minded devotion to God, inner authenticity, and a quick repentance when we sin.

 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” This is an active posture, stepping into brokenness to heal a broken world.

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This promise is to believers who suffer for doing right, who condemn ungodliness in the world.

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” This one is sometimes seen as a summary of  the previous eight. But the difference is that this persecution is ones who have been mistreated because of their association with Jesus.

Look again at each of these blessings. They are given to those who are in pretty bad circumstances. Yet, in the midst of it all, God blesses them. Notice that the first four are passive, internal behaviors. The final ones require action on our part.

This is only a brief overview of blessings and the Beatitudes. I hope to expound on each Beatitude in future blog posts. I think a good mental marker for us is to take some liberty with the word “beatitude.” Instead, think of them as “Be Attitudes.”

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To learn more about a new life in Christ, click here. 

All scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise indicated.