What does it mean to be blessed?
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit [those who are not spiritually proud and self-sufficient],
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn [over both personal and corporate sins],
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek [those who walk humbly before God],
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who hunger and thirst for personal righteousness and justice for the oppressed],
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful [those who extend the mercy they have freely received],
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart [those who are pure in mind, will and emotions],
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers [those who promote peace],
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness [those who are persecuted for righteous living],
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.-Matthew 5:3-10
The Christian might not be blessed according to the world’s standards, but the Christian is deeply blessed according to God’s. We share in the eternal joy of salvation. We are co-heirs with Christ, and ours is not a temporary kingdom but an everlasting one: “Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him” (Daniel 7:27). Great is our reward in heaven (Matthew 5:12), and our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire’ (Hebrews 12:28-29).
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