Matthew 5:7-9
Story & Lessons
We were once without hope because we were alienated from God.
When we come to faith in Christ, we rejoice in the mercy of God.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (7).
*******
The word ‘heart’ has to do with our whole being.
It includes our affections, emotions, mind and will.
The human heart is a cesspit of iniquity.
But the godly are poor in spirit and mourn over their sin.
The gospel is about Christ dying on the cross and rising from the dead so that we could be cleansed from our sin.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (8).
*******
Christians enjoy peace with God through Jesus Christ.
The gospel message is about the Prince of Peace.
And our God is the God of peace.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (9).
Reflection...
God delights in mercy and so should we!
Let us seek always to be kind, sympathetic, merciful and forgiving.
If we are lacking in compassion and if we are not ready to forgive those who have wronged us, we are not right with God!
*******
To be pure in heart is to keep ourselves from sin and hypocrisy.
It makes us love our fellow Christians.
The pure in heart shall see the Lord Jesus in heaven.
Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
*******
A peacemaker is not a coward who opts for peace at any price.
We must seek to turn those who do wrong from the error of their ways.
We must go out of our way to live at peace with others, but never at the expense of the truth or of compromise with sin.
If we are to be peacemakers, we must always keep our tongues from gossip.
And we will always endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
If our hearts are not pure, if we are not right with God, we will not be channels of Christ’s peace.
Are we a peacemaker or a troublemaker?
Story & Lessons
We were once without hope because we were alienated from God.
When we come to faith in Christ, we rejoice in the mercy of God.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (7).
*******
The word ‘heart’ has to do with our whole being.
It includes our affections, emotions, mind and will.
The human heart is a cesspit of iniquity.
But the godly are poor in spirit and mourn over their sin.
The gospel is about Christ dying on the cross and rising from the dead so that we could be cleansed from our sin.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (8).
*******
Christians enjoy peace with God through Jesus Christ.
The gospel message is about the Prince of Peace.
And our God is the God of peace.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (9).
Reflection...
God delights in mercy and so should we!
Let us seek always to be kind, sympathetic, merciful and forgiving.
If we are lacking in compassion and if we are not ready to forgive those who have wronged us, we are not right with God!
*******
To be pure in heart is to keep ourselves from sin and hypocrisy.
It makes us love our fellow Christians.
The pure in heart shall see the Lord Jesus in heaven.
Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
*******
A peacemaker is not a coward who opts for peace at any price.
We must seek to turn those who do wrong from the error of their ways.
We must go out of our way to live at peace with others, but never at the expense of the truth or of compromise with sin.
If we are to be peacemakers, we must always keep our tongues from gossip.
And we will always endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
If our hearts are not pure, if we are not right with God, we will not be channels of Christ’s peace.
Are we a peacemaker or a troublemaker?
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