The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (8)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on December 9, 2009
Topic: Blessed Are... (5)
(use the audio to study)
Background
Two weeks ago, we saw that the blessed (those who have the presence of God all that goes with it), in addition to recognizing their need for God, and mourning for their sinfulness as well as the devastating effects of sin; are those who possess quiet and gentle spirit in spite of their strength, stature, or status; and those who fervently desire justice, fairness, and equity on the earth. The bible calls the former �the meek�, and the later, �they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness�
The meek are those who have submitted themselves to the will of God, whatever that may be, and thus accepts whatsoever comes to them as being of God, without complaint, bitterness, envy or anger, they have resigned themselves on to God, are not vengeful but are rather long suffering, and wait for God to do whatsoever pleases Him. Such individuals are indeed blessed! We need to note that a meek person is not necessarily a weak person, but one who is restrained from acting against the will of God, by the Holy Spirit Who is in him.
Those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness to be established are those who can only be satisfied when God�s standards for living are established in the lives of men. Such persons cannot but cry to God for the enthronement of his justice and judgment in the land. They seek after God in all things and continue to seek Him until His righteousness is established in the lives of men. They will pray for it, and do all that God requires of them for the sole purpose of establishing God�s righteousness in men�s lives, no matter how unpleasant that may be.
We saw also that to the meek, is given the assurance of the fulfillment of all of God�s promises here on earth and in eternity, eternal life. To those who desire God�s righteousness more than anything else, an assurance of being filled with God�s righteousness is given, meaning that indeed such persons will be satisfied with the deeds of God.
We concluded that these attributes are acquired as we yield to the Holy Spirit in our hearts and as we learn from the example of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Tonight, we shall press on with our study of those who are truly blessed, as we look at yet another attitude that we must possess, if we are to be considered blessed. We pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to teach us, in Jesus name, Amen.
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 5:7
The bible says that those who have the presence of God in, and with them, are merciful. To be merciful is to be full of mercy. It is to be compassionate in a very active sense, and is mark of the man who has, indeed been made in d image and likeness of God .To this man, the Lord promises mercy of a much greater sort!
Genesis 1:26; Luke 6:36; Lamentations 3:22; Luke 1:54 Psalm 136:1-26; Romans 9:15-16; 222 Samuel 7:14-15; Hebrews 2:17; Exodus 28:6, 12, 23-30; Habakkuk 3:2; James 2:13b; Matthew 9:9-13; 23:23; 12:7 (Hosea 6:;6); Matthew 15:32; 14:14; Luke 7:11-15; 17:11-14; Proverbs 12:10; Deuteronomy 25:2-4; 1Corinthins 9:9-10; 1Timothy 5:18; Deuteronomy 15:7-15; 1John 3:17-18; James 2:13-17; 1:27; Proverbs 19:17; Isaiah 58:6-11; Psalm 18:25; Proverbs 11:17; Psalm 41:1-3.
Conclusion
Being merciful is a matter of the heart, for compassion comes from within the bowels of a man (Colossians 3:12). Being merciful is to be full of mercy, and it is an embodiment of God�s love and kindness as demonstrated by God�s children unto a lost and wicked generation.
From our study tonight, we have seen that mercy is essential of God, and that we (His children) must have it as an attribute in us if indeed, we have been redeemed, and are walking in a regenerated state. Being merciful requires that we exhibit (demonstrate or show) the compassion of God in us towards others; for indeed, how can the love of God be in us if we shut our bowels of mercy to our fellow men? A merciful man shows kindness even in situations that deserve judgment, by cushioning the force of judgment, and in some cases, forgiving the offender.
Among the numerous actions which reveal our regeneration into the new man which after God is holy, is showing kindness in practical terms to our fellow men, as the Lord did during His earthly sojourn: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, providing for the poor, healing the sick, comforting those who mourn, taking care widows, forgiving the repentant and even the un forgivable, etc.
The word of caution: we can do all these and not be showing mercy if it not from a heart that is renewed by the spirit of God: for a wicked heart, will show such acts only to be seen of men , and for fame and again.
The promise of God�s mercy (which is wholesome and eternal is given to those who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy in the day that their need for mercy comes. Let us go to God in prayer for this attribute to be worked in us and to become manifest in our everyday live.
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