Is my faith genuine? - Part 3

Blessed [content, sheltered by God's promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Blessed [anticipating God's presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.

Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God's favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.

Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God's love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God's goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me.

Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. - Matthew 5:7-12 (Amplified Bible)

“We are not meant to control our Christianity. Rather, our Christianity is meant to control us.” - Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Blessed are the merciful.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. - Psalm 103.11 (NASB)

There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. - James 2:13 (NLT)

The source of mercy is God. The merciful are the people of the first four Beatitudes, and they have come to God and hungered for righteousness, and in mercy, God has granted it to them. They have a deep awareness of their need of deliverance, their need of righteousness. They see how sinful they are, how miserable they are, how desperate they are and they come seeking mercy. - John MacArthur

Do I show mercy to others as God has shown mercy to me?

Blessed are the pure in heart.

You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. - James 4:4,8 (Amplified Bible)

Therefore, since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God. - 2 Corinthians 7:1 (Amplified Bible)

Am I living a consecrated life, fully submitted to the will of God?

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself. Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. - Romans 12:16-18 (Amplified Bible)

A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath,
But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger. - Proverbs 15:1 (Amplified Bible)

Seek first to understand, then be understood. - Steven Covey

Do I seek first to understand with a soft answer or defend my position with harsh words?

Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness.

As an example, brothers and sisters, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord [as His messengers and representatives]. You know we call those blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] who were steadfast and endured [difficult circumstances]. You have heard of the patient endurance of Job and you have seen the Lord’s outcome [how He richly blessed Job]. The Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. - James 5:10-11 (Amplified Bible)

Blessed are you when persecuted because of Me.

Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people hate you, and exclude you [from their fellowship], and insult you, and scorn your name as evil because of [your association with] the Son of Man. - Luke 6:22 (Amplified Bible)

If you are insulted and reviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you—He whom they curse, you glorify]. - 1 Peter 4:14 (Amplified Bible)

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary.

By God's Word at last my sin I learned–
Then I trembled at the Law I'd spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned to Calvary.

Now I've giv'n to Jesus ev'rything,
Now, I gladly own Him as my King,
Now, my raptured soul can only sing of Calvary.

O the love that drew salvation's plan!
O the grace that brought it down to man!
O the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary.

Mercy there was great, and grace was free,
Pardon there was multiplied to me,
There, my burdened soul found liberty–At Calvary. - William Newell

Be Encouraged to give all to Jesus as He gave all for you at Calvary.

-Jeffrey Thornton