Have Attitude

The Beatitudes is a of adjectives describing a state of being. To define the beattitudes to a non-believer, one might say something like this: The Beatitudes are "one's spiritual state of being resulting in a direct and opposite, or complimentary, spiritual effect coming from an outside source." (Jeffrey Foster)

Jesus opened the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes. Why would the Lord decide to begin the greatest dissertation in the history of man with the Beatitudes? As I covered in "To Coin a Phrase", the Sermon of the Mount deals with the heart. Though Jesus is speaking of the Law, He is also exposing the heart of God behind the Law. It all comes down to the situation of the heart. If the heart is not aligned with the Lord, then nothing will be right.

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.

Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake." Matthew 5:1-11 (NKJV)

Over the next few entries, I will be covering the Beatitudes as the Lord has spoken to me and finally end this string of entries with verse 12. How appropriate to end the Beattitudes with a promise.

Have attitude of the heart that is directly liked to the love that the Lord has for you.