Back to the Beatitudes

I’m not a person of resolutions, but I do want to make a commitment this year to get back to the simple teachings of Jesus. The best example that I can find in Scripture is the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Here are just a few thoughts as I contemplate these verses, and how I hope they will change me (and what I’m doing) going into a New Year.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” When I asked my kids what they thought it meant to be “poor in spirit,” my five year-old said, “It means you think that God means more than anything else and you need God.” Although I wouldn’t have said it quite like that, I want to want God more than anything else!

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Although I know that faithful parents will discipline their children when needed, I also know that sometimes showing mercy provides a greater lesson. I am asking God to give me wisdom and revelation in this area.

“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” I am trying to say “YES” more often to my children. When, “Can I sit in your lap, Mom?” is met with a “No,” it’s usually because of my own selfishness or sense of inconvenience. I don’t want to be driven by those things, but rather by the Spirit of God. That is just one of the many applications I can see in this part of the Sermon on the Mount.

“I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” This exposes our tendency to “love those who love us” but we see that our reward is in loving those who are adversarial to us and even to the Gospel. To me, these words speak the essence of Christlikeness. I want this kind of love to become a habit, even if it just means continuing to speak kindly or be helpful to one of my children when they are being “unlovable.”

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I want to not only be content with what I have, but also remember that we are abundantly blessed as compared to so many others in the world. How can I “want” for more? I want to guard against covetousness and worldliness, for as James 4:4 says so succinctly, “don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” These are sobering words, and these truths certainly prompt me to re-evaluation and re-commitment in this area.

When you re-read the Sermon on the Mount, how does the Holy Spirit prompt you?

Blessings,

Cindy Carrier
http://www.valuesdrivenfamily.com/

About The Author

Cindy Carrier has written 27 articles on this blog.

Cynthia Carrier is wife to Marc and the homeschooling mom of eight children. Together, Marc and Cindy have a passion to encourage Christian parents through their Web site, www.ValuesDrivenFamily.com. The focus of their “Values-Driven” ministry is to equip Christian families to make the most of every opportunity: that is, to serve God, participate in fulfilling the Great Commission, and raise children who love and serve the Lord. The Carriers are embarking on a new adventure as their family transitions to the mission field in Kenya; you can find out more at www.kingdomdriven.org

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