Saturday, January 17, 2015

Four Ways of Understanding the Beatitudes


The Life Application Study Bible commentary shares: "There are four ways of understanding the Beatitudes.

1. They are a code of ethics 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" like that of the Pharisees with the real faith Christ wants.
4. They show the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the New Kingdom.

The Beatitudes must be taken as a whole, not pick and choose for one's self."

People who do not know Christ personally through His salvation can not understand what it means to be "poor in spirit" or to "mourn" in the real faith of Christ. For they have not the comfort of the Kingdom of GOD!

John 16:33, Jesus shared, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble (trials and tribulations.) But, take heart! I (Jesus) have overcome the world!" We can claim the peace of Christ in the most troublesome times. (Commentary) But for a little while, and Christians will be in all of His Glory!

 Yes! And even our animals will reap His Glory! (That I will share later on this year!)

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