Nat’s blog

Many look at the Beatitudes and see them as some natural disposition. They are based on behavior and human temperaments. They look at somebody with a laid back personality and say that he is meek. They look at somebody who tries to avoid conflict and ignore tension and say that he is a peacemaker. These conclusions could be nothing further from the truth. This would negate the supernatural aspects of the Christian man and degrade them to mere DNA and character traits. The beatitudes are one of the greatest manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s work because they are the reflection of the character of Christ. To say that the beatitudes are based on personality is to take a miracle and say that man has performed it.

I for one praise God that the beatitudes are nothing less than the working of the Holy Spirit. Man’s dependency on grace to enter into the beatitudes is comforting and provoking at the same time. It is comforting because we know that, despite our proud personality, natural inclinations toward sin, corrupt desires and motivations, we are just as much a candidate for holiness as the next guy, because our ability to do so is not based on human strength. The foundational principle of the beatitudes is that it’s not about what we have. It is what we can get by positioning our hearts to receive from the Holy Spirit.

This then also provokes us, because it means that there is no excuse for us. All of those that hid behind their aggressive, extroverted, ambitious personality types must now come to terms with the fact that they have no way out of pursuing this lifestyle of happy holiness. The Holy Spirit working on the inside and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ make this an equal possibility for everybody. For even Paul, chief of sinners turned apostle said, “By the grace of God I am what I am.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Why is it that despite the fact that Jesus has so clearly laid out the way to happiness that even in the church His methods are so often ignored?

The reason why so many still choose to not walk in the way of blessedness is because of the time delay that is ever so common in the kingdom of God. People want it fast and easy, here and now. The beatitudes speak of satisfaction that is slow, difficult and far away. That is because ultimate fulfillment of these promises or prophecies is not until the age to come, making the beatitudes profoundly linked to the theology of hope. Whenever a reward is promised in the bible that does not have immediate results then that reward can become part of the hope which we have. This is true of every single one of the beatitudes.

Whenever we experience one of the discomforts described in Matthew 5:3-10, our hope is that “this light affliction, which is but for a moment is working in us an eternal weight of glory.” (1 Corinthians 5:17. “The sufferings of this present age are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) This line of thought is expounded on throughout many of the epistles. It is no wonder Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount with the beatitudes.

However, the joy spoken of in Matthew 5:3-10 is not just future tense. He doesn’t say “blessed will be…” He says “blessed are…” This difference holds a great truth. That is the truth that hope itself is a source of joy. Even Paul spoke of “rejoicing in hope…” (Rom 12:12) and the “blessed hope…” (Titus 2:13) that we have. So for believers there is always a certain measure of joy to be found in accordance with our confidence. Despite our negative circumstances we can have joy because for believers it counts for something. Even in our mourning we experience happiness knowing that our Consolation will come.

So in stead of honor, fame and fortune Jesus speaks of poverty and persecution as the way to happiness. The way to obtain that which you desire is not pride and self-interest, but mercy and serf-denial. His ways are truly higher than ours and His thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). And when we truly understand the beatitudes we will thank Him for it!

First of all, I would like to let all of my faithful readers know that I have chosen to stay on days for a the next few months.

Lately I have been studying the beatitudes. I am thinking of starting a series on my discoveries on the beatitudes, so here is my first post.

The beatitudes are the much loved and well-known verses Jesus gave to His disciples and the multitudes as an opening to His Sermon on the Mount. In these few verses Jesus gives humanity the secret to blessedness. Montefoire gives a practical definition of blessedness: “happiness because of divine favor.” It is ironic that history continually testifies of man’s quest for happiness failing time and time again when Jesus has given us eight simple steps that lead us right into this much desired state of being.

In His kindness He has revealed to us the way we can satisfy the God-given desire for happiness. The desire to experience joy is not something to be repented of. If God gives us the means to obtain happiness then surely the desire for happiness is not ungodly. God recognizes and acknowledges this longing as something He has placed in us to lead us on the paths of righteousness if we choose to follow.

The beatitudes are not introduced as commandments; in fact they are not introduced at all. Jesus simply opened His mouth and began to teach. This could cause some to underestimate the value of the beatitudes. If they are not specifically stated as commandments they are not worth being sought after. However, when the nature of man is understood even just a little we realize what a grave mistake this line of thought is.

Let us take a look at humanity and the way we function for a moment. Man’s pursuit of happiness is inherent, therefore inevitable (no matter what level of resistance is offered). We are going to pursue happiness no matter what. The question is: in what manner will we pursue this feeling of contentment? That is where unrighteousness finds its place. The painful truth is that when people are left on their own they are bound to stray from the God-ordained method by which we can obtain blessedness, eventually ending in sin. In light of this reality we can look at the beatitudes and not only consider them to be encouragements or exhortations, but commandments that come from the very wisdom of God.

I hope that you will all look at and study the beatitudes with increased care. That’s all for now. Hopefully, there will be more on the beatitudes soon.