THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRISTIANS

Matt 5:1-12

Morning Meditation 1/8/2013

He who spoke in times past by the prophets now opened His mouth. These first words of the great Teacher, come from God, reveal the way of happiness—not through doings, but being. Happiness is found not in what we have, but in what we are. This blessedness belongs to every Christ like character.

THE CHRISTIAN’S CHARACTER

1.He is poor in spirit. Verse 3 brings this out. Matthew 5:3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." He is not spiritually poor because that through the poverty of Christ he is made rich. The humble in spirit is indwelt by the God of grace and glory. Isaiah 57:15, "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

2.He mourns. Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Not for fear of missing the kingdom, but over everything that hinders his growth into the image of Christ; over the sins of others; and over the enemies of the Cross. The Christian shares the same burden that Christ had.

3.He is meek. Matthew 5:5, "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." He would not be like his master if he were not meek and lowly. Matthew 11:29, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 5:39, "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." We are not meek by nature but we are indwelt by the MEEK ONE. He will live out His life through the one who submits to Him.

4.He hungers and thirsts after righteousness.. Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Not after the pleasures of sin and worldliness but after the righteousness of God. These cravings after righteousness are the natural desires of the new man. Ephesians 4:24, "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

5.He is merciful. Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." Mercy does not remove the guilt but shows mercy to the guilty for Jesus sake. Jesus prayed for His enemies. When He was reviled He reviled not again.

6.He is pure in heart. Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." His heart is right with God. He is grieved at anything that comes to him that conflicts with being pure in heart.

7.He is a peace maker. Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." He seeks to make peace. If someone comes to him with criticism of another brother or sister, he uses this as an opportunity to make peace.

8.He suffers persecution. Matthew 5:10-12, "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 exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." This is probably one of the most difficult to practice. Though all of the beatitudes are addressed to the spiritual not the flesh.

Notice that each beatitude has it’s own reward. Blessed are the pure in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God. Blessed are the ones who mourn, for they shall be comforter. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled. And so on…

Who ministers to those who obey these truths? None other than Jesus Himself.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White