Jesus does not care what we believe, nor will judgment consist of a “belief test.” Saying, “I believe in Jesus” does not mean it’s so. Jesus asked, “Why do you call me Lord and not do what I say?” Our daily actions reveal what we believe. The life and death (atonement) of Jesus does not remove the fact that we will one day judged for our actions. Jesus expects faith-and-works or works-and-faith from his people. The Sermon on the Mount reveals the expectation of the Kingdom of God for members, including the rewards and consequences of our behavior.
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Chapter 19: The Sermon on the Mount – Beatitudes (Part 2)
THE FAME of Jesus spread so widely that great numbers came to see him from all over the countryside. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set and he lifted up his eyes on his disciples that came unto him, he opened his mouth and taught them saying,
- Blessed are you poor and poor in spirit: for yours is the kingdom of God.
- Blessed are you that hunger now: for you will be filled.
- Blessed are they that mourn and weep now: for they will laugh and be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth.
- Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they will be filled.
- Blessed are the merciful: for they will obtain mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called the children of God.
- Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are you, when men will revile, hate and persecute you, and when they will separate you from their company, and will reproach you, and will say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
- Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers persecute the prophets who were before you.
- But woe unto you that are rich! For you have received your consolation.
- Woe unto you that are full, for you will hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! For you will mourn and weep.
- Woe unto you, when all men will speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Matthew 5:1-48, 6:1-34, 7:1-29