The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (9)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on December 16, 2009
Topic: Blessed Are... (6.1)
(use the audio to study)
Background
Last week, we saw that another attribute of those who have the presence of God in them, thus making them blessed, is that they are merciful people. We noted that to be merciful is to be full of mercy or to be compassionate. We observed that compassion is a mark of the man who is indeed made in the image and likeness of God. We noted that being full of mercy indicates that we have indeed been redeemed and are walking in a regenerated state. We also said that being merciful or compassionate comes from within a man and is an embodiment of God's love and kindness as demonstrated by God's children unto a lost and wicked generation.
Being merciful requires that we demonstrate, in practical terms, the compassion of God in us to others. Indeed, a merciful man shows kindness to the deserving and the undeserving, cushions the force of judgment with mercy, and, in some instances, forgives the offender completely! Other acts of mercy, as exemplified by our Lord Jesus Christ while here on earth, include feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, providing for the poor, healing the sick, comforting those who mourn, taking care of widows, forgiving the repentant, etc.
We, however, warned that mercy is a matter of the heart and that a heart that is not surrendered to the Holy Spirit may perform 'acts of mercy' only to be seen of men, and for fame and gain, and not display the nature of God. For the man whose act of mercy is from a perfect heart before God, the promise of God's mercy (wholesome and eternal) is assured, as he will obtain mercy from God.
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 5:8
Tonight, we shall begin a 3-part mini-series on "the pure in heart": heart purity being another vital attribute of the blessed. We pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to have pure hearts, in Jesus' name Amen.
The word "pure" means "clean" or "clear"; while the word "heart" is a metaphor which means "thought", "mind", "emotion", and "personality". Thus, to be "pure in heart" means to have "clean thoughts"; to have a "pure mind"; to have an "uncontaminated emotion"; to have a "perfect personality"; and so on. We shall now look at the significance and the state of the heart.
Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 15:11, 19; Mark7:17-23; Proverbs 14:30; Matthew 12:34; Romans 10:10; John 4:20-24; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Isaiah 57:15; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Luke 16:15; 1 Corinthians 2:11; Genesis 4:1-8; 1 John 3:12; Matthew 13:19-22; Proverbs 23:7; Titus 1:15; Matthew 12:35.
Conclusion
The significance of the heart is obvious from or study. It is the source of all that we do, and is the seat of our speech, actions, and emotions. It is also the sanctuary that God has always wanted to dwell in; and is who we really are. It is from the heart of that the issues of life spring out; and where we believe or disbelieve God. Furthermore, the heart is where God meets with us. As a mankind thinks in his heart, so is he. Thus, a man with a proud heart is said to be proud; while a man with a humble heart is referred to as a humble man.
The state of the heart is thus vitally significant, because as the heart is, so is the man. A man with a hardened heart is impenetrable, and as such not easily disposed to the word of God; a man who has an outward display of religion is one whose heart is shallow in the things of God, and waivers when God�s word which he claims to believe is tested in his life. Similarly, a man who is pre-occupied with worldly concerns and affections of various forms is a man who has no room or time for God. Only a man whose heart is pliable is receptive to the word of God and thus is productive in the things of God.
The bible tells us that the state of the heart of man from birth is very deceptive, desperately wicked and incurably bad. No matter how much a man may think he knows of himself, he cannot know himself more than God does, and he is unable to predetermine the extent he can go under any circumstance. Fortunately, for us, God has the cure for the heart, but we must first admit that we need our hearts cured (John 9:39-41).Thus we need God to show us the state of our own hearts so that we can begin to seek proper attention from Him for it (Psalm 139:23-24).
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