August 6, 2014

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God" Matthew 5:9

Peace is one of the things worth fighting for!

More wars have been fought to secure peace than just about any other cause. Unfortunately over recent world history there has been more war than there has been peace.

Peace must be pretty important!

God places His blessed of approval on those who promote peace and He calls them His sons!

Peace is so highly valued by God because God highly values people and He values relationships and peace is the product of healthy relationships. Peace is worth fighting for because relationships are worth fighting for.

Peace is essential because of its intricate connection with justice, righteousness and freedom. Peace is the by-product of a culture where justice, righteousness and freedom are honored and enjoyed. People living in such a culture would be truly blessed. That should be status quo for every family and every church, but unfortunately it rarely is.

Naturally, peace is disturbed whenever justice, righteousness and freedom are threatened. As much as we value peace, we will risk peace in an attempt to restore justice, righteousness and freedom.

That is what the cross of Christ was all about. Jesus died to restore justice, righteousness and freedom so His people could live in peace.

Having established its value brings us back to the question, "What is peace, by God's definition?"

Peace from God's perspective begins with being in right relationship with Him in obedience to His will. And since our sinful nature resists submission and obedience to God, therein is the individual struggle we must fight.

"Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses." I Timothy 6:12

Peace from God's point of view also requires relationships between God's people to be transacted in justice, in righteousness and in freedom. 

No wonder those who dwell in the peace of God as considered blessed!

No wonder those who live in peace and who promote peace are considered sons of God!

Will you live in peace today?

August 5, 2014

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God" Matthew 5:9

The seventh of eight Beatitudes deals with the highly valued commodity of peace. Like other coveted commodities, it is valuable because it is rare.

We have been learning that the first four Beatitudes teach what you can do to get right with God and the second four detail the spiritual evidence of a heart made right.

A righteous heart displays mercy, helping those who seek to hurt him.

A righteous heart is pure, motivated by the love of God in thoughts and deeds.

And, a righteous heart produces a peacemaker.

You may not know precisely what Jesus meant when He referred to peacemakers in this verse, but you can recognize a peacemaker when one walks into the room. Peacemakers have a way of bringing peace with them wherever they go.

In contrast, there are those who when they walk into a room bring tension that is palpable.

Are you a peacemaker or a troublemaker?

We will answer that conclusively over the next few posts, but first, let’s dispel some misconceptions of peace. Peace is not:

Absence of conflict. 

Peace in the Bible is never to be confused with silence induced by pacifism or intimidation.

Ignoring a point conflict or remaining silence in the face of obvious wrong is not what Jesus meant by peace.

Avoidance of strife. 

Never are we instructed to run from conflict. Putting our head in the sand, hoping that the conflict will end, only delays the inevitable. Cowardly avoidance of a necessary confrontation is not the peace Jesus was referencing.

Appeasement of parties. 

The “peace at any price” mentality is far from biblical command. I have discovered that you can never make everyone happy all the time, but I am called to make God happy all the time by doing right.

Accommodation of issues.

The person who glosses over the problems, acting as if everything is alright when it is not is not a peacemaker.

Biblical peace is closely linked with justice and righteousness. Therefore, ignoring injustice or compromising righteousness to avoid confrontation is not the peace that pleases Jesus.

You cannot be a peacemaker until you make peace with God through Christ. When you are at peace with God you will convey His peace wherever you go. You will also have the wisdom to know when to disturb the peace and the courage to confront injustice.

Will you be a peacemaker today?

August 3, 2014

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."  Matthew 5:8

The exciting news Jesus announced in this Beatitude is that purity is possible and it is within the reach of your faith!

This would be a purity far removed from "white-washed tombs" or "cups clean on the outside", this will be a purity of heart and mind! This will cause every motivation to be shaped by love. This "pure in heart" promise is worth a closer look:

“pure” = the Greek word from which we get “catharsis,” which means “to make pure by cleansing from dirt, filth, or contamination” and was most often used to describe metals that had been refined by fire until they were free from impurities. It was also used for soiled clothes that had been washed clean, and of grain that had been carefully sifted to remove all impurities"

Second, it refers to being “unmixed, as having no double allegiance.”

The Message paraphrase: “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.” The emphasis here is on what’s inside us.”

Jesus didn’t come to REFORM you, He came to totally TRANSFORM you from the inside out.

He made that clear when He stated:

“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20

Examples:

God isn’t satisfied with a world where murders don’t happen. He demands a world where there is no hatred:

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison." Matthew 5:21-25

Someone who is in a committed relationship with Jesus doesn’t hate his brother and is very careful not to give others a reason to hate him.

God’s Passion for Purity isn’t satisfied with a world where adultery doesn’t happen. He demands a world where there is no lustful thinking.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:27-30

Someone who is in a committed relationship with Jesus doesn’t entertain himself with lustful thoughts. Someone who loves a pure God keeps his thoughts pure.

What motivates your thoughts, desires and actions?

Do they pass the purity test?

August 2, 2014

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

The Sixth Beatitude speaks words of comfort and relief to the human spirit which inherently longs for a perfection long ago lost, "Purity and perfection are possible and God is within reach!"

You always hoped for the perfect spouse so you could find the perfect house in the perfect neighborhood so your perfect kids could attend the perfect schools to get the perfect education so they will be able to get into the perfect college and enhance their chances of landing a perfect job.

Where do all those hopeful notions of perfection come from?

In an evil and chaotic world where the bad guys usually win, where do these noble notions of perfection originate?

Gotquestions.org provides this commentary on the Moral Argument for the existence of God:

"The moral argument begins with the fact that all people recognize some moral code (that some things are right, and some things are wrong). Every time we argue over right and wrong, we appeal to a higher law that we assume everyone is aware of, holds to, and is not free to arbitrarily change. Right and wrong imply a higher standard or law, and law requires a lawgiver. Because the Moral Law transcends humanity, this universal law requires a universal lawgiver. This, it is argued, is God.

In support of the moral argument, we see that even the most remote tribes who have been cut off from the rest of civilization observe a moral code similar to everyone else's. Although differences certainly exist in civil matters, virtues like bravery and loyalty and vices like greed and cowardice are universal. If man were responsible for that code, it would differ as much as every other thing that man has invented. Further, it is not simply a record of what mankind does—rarely do people ever live up to their own moral code. Where, then, do we get these ideas of what should be done? Romans 2:14-15 says that the moral law (or conscience) comes from an ultimate lawgiver above man. If this is true, then we would expect to find exactly what we have observed. This lawgiver is God.

To put it negatively, atheism provides no basis for morality, no hope, and no meaning for life. While this does not disprove atheism by itself, if the logical outworking of a belief system fails to account for what we instinctively know to be true, it ought to be discarded. Without God there would be no objective basis for morality, no life, and no reason to live it. Yet all these things do exist, and so does God. Thus, the moral argument for the existence of God"

You were created to live in a perfect relationship with a holy God in a perfect paradise. If you are pure in your heart, you WILL spend your eternity in such a place. But your sinfulness has separated you from God and His holiness. 

You were created to be perfect in order to enjoy perfect fellowship with a Holy God in a perfect paradise. Adam's sin shattered the dream but the desire remains!

So, this Beatitude bears wonderful news to those longing for something they lost. That good news is that purity through Christ, purity and perfection are possible for you!

God's holiness is within your reach!

Will you repent of your sinfulness and receive His cleansing?

August 1, 2014

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

Using a dating relationship as an illustration for the truth of this Beatitude really does work since Jesus is announcing the coming of a Kingdom that is entered through relationship not through religious observances.

The point is that Jesus wants to keep seeing you in a committed spiritual relationship. He wants a bride not a date.

One of the things that "pure in heart" means is "unmixed" or "clear".

Jesus came to proclaim that God is purely committed in His desire for a committed relationship with you!

If you can hearken back to your high school days, remember the most popular guy/gal in school (maybe the quarterback of the football team or the head cheerleader) and imagine you discover that person wants to "start seeing" you. Of all the kids in your school that person wants a relationship with you!

How exciting would that be?

Would you be casual about that?

Would you have an "unmixed" attitude? Would you pursue that relationship with all your heart or would you be casual and conflicted about it?

My guess is you would be so thrilled and excited that this person wanted to start "seeing you" you would quickly commit to that relationship.

So, when you learn that the God of the Universe, your Creator and Redeemer longs for an intimate spiritual relationship with you, why are you not eager to respond to that invitation?

Jesus came to prove how committed God is to having a relationship with you! He longs to know you and to be known by you! He came to make such a relationship possible.

You were created with a longing and a need to be in loving intimate relationship with a significant person. God designed you with a desire for Him and only He can fulfill that longing in your spirit.

There is a part of you that both desires AND fears that relationship. That is the impure part of you that Jesus came to deal with.

This foolish, conflicted heart will respond to God's invitation in one of three ways:

It will try to spurn Him and deny the need for Him.

It will try to earn Him and "date" Him by getting involved in religious practices and rituals hoping to become "good enough" for Him.

Or, it will turn to Him in faith and rely on Him to make you pure in heart. This is the choice that God calls "blessed".

Which will you choose today?

July 31, 2014

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

If you are older than 18 you have likely been involved in a conversation something like this:

"Johnny, I really like you. You are a great guy, but I don't want to see you anymore. I think we ought to see other people."

Sound familiar?

At some point she may have added, "It's not you, Johnny, it's me."

That was real comforting! Johnny already knew it was her because he's not the one who wanted to stop seeing her!

What does that have to do with the sixth Beatitude?

A whole bunch, actually.

In a very real sense, Jesus is saying, "Blessed is the one whose heart is purely committed to God and who desires to continue seeing Him."

Being in a half-hearted relationship with God will only make you miserable and make Him sick to His stomach:

"So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth."  Revelation 3:16

When you choose to be a half-hearted Christian it's not Him, it's you! He is fully committed to you!

If you choose to be half-hearted in your commitment to Christ you will have an unstable faith:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:5-8

Being "pure in heart" refers to being “unmixed, as having no double allegiance.” In his commentary on this passage, Warren Wiersbe writes that the “basic idea is that of integrity, singleness of heart, as opposed to duplicity, or a divided heart.” Jesus said it this way in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” 

Do you want to be in a significant relationship with someone who is half-hearted, double-minded or conflicted toward you? Would you consider yourself in a blessed relationship?

Neither does God!

July 30, 2014

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" Matthew 5:8 

For the past several years there has been much concern over distracted driving. In a world of distractions "distracted driving" usually refers to driving while checking messages on your phone. Obviously, when your attention is divided between the traffic and the texts you are putting yourself and others at risk.

When Jesus commands His Kingdom people to be "pure in spirit" He is capturing the same idea. It does the text no injustice to say, "Blessed are those who are not spiritually distracted".

Esteemed Bible scholar and teacher, Dr. William Barclay, shares these helpful insights into the Sixth Beatitude:

"Here is the beatitude which demands that every man who reads it should stop, and think, and examine himself.

The Greek word for pure is "katharos", and it has a variety of usages, all of which have something to add to the meaning of this beatitude for the Christian life.

(i) Originally it simply meant clean, and could, for instance, be used or soiled clothes which have been washed clean.

(ii) It is regularly used for corn which has been winnowed or sifted and cleansed of all chaff. In the same way it is used of an army which has been purged of all discontented, cowardly, unwilling and inefficient soldiers, and which is a force composed solely of first-class fighting men.

(iii) It very commonly appears in company with another Greek adjective--"akiratos". Akiratos can be used of milk or wine which is unadulterated with water, or of metal which has in it no tinge of alloy.

So, then, the basic meaning of "katharos" is unmixed, unadulterated, unalloyed. That is why this beatitude is so demanding a beatitude. It could be translated:

"Blessed is the man whose motives are always entirely unmixed, for that man shall see God."

When I read this I think of what James says in his Epistle: "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." James 1:8

So as you begin to get you mind around this idea of heart purity, let's begin here. Purity is having motives that are single-minded. Obviously, when your motives are clear your vision will be more keen as well.

Just as you can't be looking at your phone and focused on the highway, you can't be focused on the world and clearly focused on God.

You can't be thinking about your phone message and have your mind purely focused on driving can you?

Where will you fix your focus today?

If you want to see God clearly, clear the clutter out of your spirit.