“And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
- 3.“Blessed — the poor in spirit – for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
- 4. Blessed — they that mourn – for they shall be comforted.
- 5. Blessed — the meek – for they shall inherit the earth.
- 6. Blessed — they that hunger and thirst after righteousness – for they shall be filled.
- 7. Blessed — the merciful – for they shall obtain mercy.
- 8. Blessed — the pure in heart – for they shall see God.
- 9. Blessed — the peacemakers – for they shall be called the children of God.” [Mt.5:2-9]
“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee – that he may dwell in thy courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house – even of thy Holy Temple.” [Ps.65:4]
Of the seven blessings that our Lord God has bestowed upon us through the person and work of His incarnated eternal Son, Christ Jesus – we have briefly touched upon in previous newsletters, only the first two, viz., “Blessed are the poor in spirit” and “Blessed are they that mourn”. We have also noted that both of these blessings pertain to the Righteousness that God requires in order to be approved and accepted into God’s holy and heavenly presence! Of which – none of us naturally have – nor can we perform, or attain. This is why Jesus tells us from Jn.14:6: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life – no man cometh unto the Father – but by me.” The Lord Jesus Christ, by God’s great grace, is our approval and acceptance with holy, holy, holy God Almighty! The Lord Jesus Christ – indeed — is our eternal Salvation and Life! [see: Rom.6:23, 1Co.1:30-31 and 2Co.5:21]
We now come to the third divinely pronounced blessing: “Blessed are the meek – for they shall inherit the earth.” This blessing – like all of them – is a spiritual blessing – and must be received, believed and understood in a strictly spiritual sense. It has been said that “meekness” is the mark of sinner who has been mastered by God. To be meek — for the most part – in this world – is mocked by a false humility. This is hypocrisy! But, what this verse is referring to is produced in a sinner’s soul that has been blessed with God’s grace of true repentance. “Meekness” according to God’s grace is a true regenerating realization of who you are – as a sinner – before Holy God. This regenerating realization is completely wrought out because the Holy Spirit of God bears witness with your spirit that you have been placed in Christ before the foundation of the world – or, in other words – before the creation of the world – completely forgiven, cleansed and made whole by the atoning blood of He, who is the Lamb of God! “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”! [Rev.13:8] It is this Truth of the person and work of Christ that causes you to stand silent, humble and thankful – in a state of true worship — before holy God. And, in this true state of contrition – you know that you do not deserve — in the least bit – for this to be eternally true. Moreover, God promises all who fill this scriptural description – that it is they – that will inherit the “New Heavens and a New Earth – wherein dwelleth Righteousness”! [see: 2Pe.3:13] “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!” [2Cor.9:15]
Now the question may be asked: “How can I attain this blessing?” And, the answer is we can’t! No one “attains” any of God’s blessings. If they are possessed – it is because they have been given by His grace. Jesus commands – He does not invite – “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest! (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. (30) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” [Mt.11:28-30] This is the only way that we can obtain God’s holy “Meekness”.
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter