How to Overcome the Challenges of Christian Living
As Jesus started his early ministry, Jesus saw the crowds gathering, so he went up to the mountainside, sat down, and began to teach. Jesus gave his disciples a new code of behavior — the Beatitudes. These eight statements about how to live your life illustrate how a disciple should respond to persecution. These verses serve as a model for those who follow Christ. They are not just nice things to say or something we hope to achieve one day. To be like Christ means we must strive daily to be merciful, peacemaking, humble, self-controlled, and pure in heart. These are attributes that stand out and make us different from others.
Introduction to the Beatitudes
The Beatitudes are the opening words of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, found in the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. “beatitude” is derived from beatus, the Latin word for “blessed,” which appears in each of the nine pronouncements. These are the words that Jesus used to instruct His followers on how to live their lives. He illustrated how to respond to persecution by living a life that was contrary to the people’s expectations. The Beatitudes are instructions on how to live in a way that is radically different from the world around us. The Beatitudes are also an example of how to remain faithful amid opposition. Each can be seen as a response to what the world is like and what we, as followers of Jesus, do not like. Be prepared to stand out and have people make negative comments about what you do and why you do it. The Beatitudes are a challenge to live a different kind of life. They are a challenge to renounce the futile search for happiness through worldly power or possessions and embrace a life of peace, purity, and self-sacrifice instead.
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
The poor, in spirit, are those who realize that they have nothing to boast about. Being poor in spirit means not putting confidence in your own strength or abilities but depending on God. During that time, the Pharisees were known for living a legalistic lifestyle, and they were proud of it. Poor in spirit is one of the most oft-quoted Beatitudes, but it is not understood clearly for some reason. Most people who think of themselves as spiritually poor are actually proud and boastful. They imagine themselves as spiritual giants. They look down on others as insignificant. Poor in spirit means to have a contrite spirit, a spirit that is broken before God, a spirit that is not puffed up with pride or self-confidence. It means that, unlike the Pharisees, you know you are nothing in yourself and that you have no power except the power that God gives you.
Blessed are the Meek
The meek are those who don’t fight or retaliate but are patient and gentle. In the world of the first century, people were more aggressive and combative. Many were constantly seeking revenge, and there was always a fight going on between the various groups. Jesus, however, rejected this way of living. He called His followers to be gentle and not retaliate or seek revenge. Meek does not mean weak, submissive, or spineless. Being meek doesn’t mean allowing yourself to be walked over by others. It also doesn’t mean that you are a doormat, allowing people to walk all over you.
Blessed are Those Who Mourn
There are several definitions of mourn: to feel sorrow or regret for something, to feel or express grief, to experience the loss of something or someone, or to experience regret for something. People who mourn are those who grieve over their sin, those who feel regret for their wrongdoings and transgressions against God. They are not proud and satisfied with themselves but rather are sorry for their failings. They are honest and self-critical and are not afraid to examine their hearts. Mourning over sin is not an attitude that many want to encourage. People want to think that God is not serious about sin, that He is soft and easy-going. They want to believe He is indifferent and does not care very much.
Blessed are the Merciful
The Beatitude that could be considered the key to all the others is the one that begins, “Blessed are the merciful.” The word “mercy” means more than just kindness or generosity. More than anything else, it is the ability to identify with another person’s sufferings and to have compassion for their weaknesses. People expect a lot from the Christian life. They expect it to be demanding and challenging, but they don’t always realize that it can also be effortless. Practicing the Christian virtues can make our lives easier, more fulfilling, and more meaningful.
Blessed are the Clean of Heart
To be clean of heart means to be freed from all impurities that defile and pollute the soul. Impurities can be physical, such as unclean thoughts, desires, or actions, or spiritual, such as anger, greed, envy, pride, or false ideas. To be pure in heart is not just to refrain from doing wrong but to actively do good. A pure heart means having a genuine love for God and for others. You cannot cleanse your heart or purify it. But you can invite God to be present and transform it through His love’s power.
Blessed are the peacemakers
Those who make peace are the ones who make every effort to end conflict, disagreement, and hostility between people. These are the people who refuse to take part in a quarrel and who try to stop others from quarreling. They are not afraid to work for harmony and peace. In our world, these people are indeed in the minority. Most people are eager for conflict and ready to take sides and defend their ideas. Because most people are not like this, you will stand out as different just by this one Beatitude. These people are ready to make peace and are not afraid to work for harmony and goodwill.
Conclusion
The Beatitudes are the teaching that Jesus gave us about life. They are also an example of how to remain faithful amid opposition. Each one can be seen as a response to what the world is like and what we, as followers of Jesus, are not like. This is the place to start if you want to be like Christ. Being like Christ means we must strive daily to be merciful, peacemaking, humble, self-controlled, and pure in heart. These are attributes that stand out and make us different from others.
