The Beatitudes should be our "Attitudes"

The Beatitudes

Matt 5 vs 1 - 12:  (1) And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. (2) Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

(3) “Blessed are the poor in spirit,  (the humble, dependent on God)
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
(4) Blessed are those who mourn,  (loss from sin, loss from not living as the world does)
For they shall be comforted.
(5) Blessed are the meek,  (the gentle, unwilling to use force to get what they want)
For they shall inherit the earth.
(6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,  (those longing for God's way)
For they shall be filled.
(7) Blessed are the merciful,  (kindness and merciful to others)
For they shall obtain mercy.
(8) Blessed are the pure in heart,  (those who pursue honesty, truth)
For they shall see God.
(9) Blessed are the peacemakers,  (those who pursue peace, Jesus' way)
For they shall be called sons of God.
(10) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,  (wrongly treated for their faith)
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

(11) Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 

(12) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Note:  Italics are mine

My bible's notes say that the Beatitudes can be understood in 4 different ways:

1. They are a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of conduct for all believers
2. They contrast kingdom values (what is eternal) with worldly values (what is temporary)
3. They contrast the superficial "faith" of the Pharisees with the real faith Christ demands
4. They show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new kingdom.

These should be taken as a whole.  These Beatitudes should be our attitudes!

Jesus was telling His disciples at the time, to expect that life could become tough as a believer and follower of His, and that handling things the world's way is not the answer.  

The answer to living IN this world, but not OF this world, is:

• to be humble, 
• pursue peace, 
• consider yourself blessed when you are persecuted for your faith in Christ, 
• walk in meekness (which is NOT weakness, but power under control), 
• strive for honesty and purity of heart, 
• and be merciful to all, especially those who are not merciful to you.  

These are the ways in which we walk through this temporary world, into eternity with Christ!

God bless

Tracy