“It’s not like you think…” Jesus came to teach his people; to be received by his people. The Scriptures and Jesus reveal a gospel we have not known. The Beatitudes in Matthew are based on ‘state of mind’, ‘condition of soul’, ‘state of being’, i.e., “Who we are.” Luke states, “woe, woe, woe” indicating a certain expectation of judgment. “It’s not like you think.” Grace (unmerited favor) became the Protestants’ indulgence. Consider Ecclesiasticus 15:20, “He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, neither hath he given any man licence to sin.” The wrong definition of grace caused us to miss the fruits of grace, i.e., humility (poor in Spirit), meekness, peacemakers, merciful, comforted, filled, etc. “Believe in me, that I am the Son of God.” I will give you the [power] to become the sons of God. (John 1:12)
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Chapter 19: The Sermon on the Mount – Beatitudes (Part 3)
THE FAME of Jesus spread so widely that great numbers came to see him from all over the countryside. Seeing the multitudes, Jesus went up into a mountain. There he sat down; and when his disciples came to him, he taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Matthew 5:1-48, 6:1-34, 7:1-29