True Success
In Matthew, Jesus gives us the longest recorded teaching in His Sermon on the Mount. He opens with what we now call the Beatitudes. You could spend a lot of time on these measly ten verses. In fact, you probably should spend a lot of time on these verses. If all you had of the Bible was these ten verses, you would be well equipped to live a full Christian life. As it is, these 10 verses hold the secret to success in a Christian’s life.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Poor in spirit” refers to realizing how inadequate you are on your own. It is to be actively aware of your total inability to please God. It is to acknowledge that nothing good is in you apart from God. This is crucial to salvation.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
The way the word mourn is used here refers to being in a constant state of mourning, that it is a way of life. Jesus Himself was a Man of Sorrows. He wept over Jerusalem and the sin state He found it in. Righteousness cannot laugh in the presence of sin. Do you weep over sin? Or do you roll your eyes, ignore it, or even laugh at it? Godly sorrow leads to repentance. Comfort from God comes when we have mourned as He has mourned. Comfort comes when you take the sin in yourself, in the church, and in the world as seriously as God takes sin.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
W.E. Vine writes, “Meekness is an inwrought grace of the soul; and the exercises of it are first and chiefly towards God. It is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing and resisting.” Meekness is a trust and submission to God that goes beyond circumstances. It looks past the hurt and confusion and bows to the sovereign God. Meekness says, “Lord, I don’t understand this, but I don’t need to. You are sovereign. I trust You.” Meekness is humble submission. Meekness is power under control. Meekness believes God is good, even when evil runs rampant.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Do you crave righteousness? Do you need righteousness in the same way you need food or water? If you are not walking in righteousness, can you bear it or do you become so agitated that you cannot help but make things right? Righteousness is dissatisfaction with the world’s way of living. It is seeking God’s righteousness. It is not holding ourselves or others to our version of righteousness. Righteousness is being wholly dependent on God and yearning for Him and Him only. And then receive it.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Mercy meets the need of forgiveness. God will not forgive us, if we do not forgive others. Mercy is for the needy, not the worthy. Forgiveness is not based on worthiness; forgiveness is unconditional. Mercy is undeserved favor. If God has shown me mercy, who am I to refuse mercy to others?
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
When you accept salvation, God gives you a new heart. This heart is clean and pure. The question then, is how does it stay pure? First, it is through the Word of God. The Bible cleanses us from wrong thinking, it exposes wrong doctrine, and it brings to light wrong behavior. The Bible sanctifies us in truth. Then, when those wrongs and sins are exposed, we must confess and make restitution. This is not done in 10 minutes a day. When we cut short our time in the Word and in prayer, we sell God and His Word short. Are you anxious, overwhelmed, discouraged? Have you tried spending more than a few minutes communing with God? God’s Word transforms and refreshes.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Peace is harmony. It is a willingness to turn towards each other, despite differing opinions. We are called to live at peace with all believers. We are one body. Jesus brought peace to our hearts. It is not universal. When we accept Christ and salvation, He gives us a peace that transcends all understanding, but having His peace means being at odds with the world.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Christian life is not comfortable. Yes, we have joy and peace, but only alongside sorrow and conflict. Salvation brings with it suffering. If you do not have discomfort in your life, if you do not have pain, suffering, sorrow, or injustice, are you really living the Christian life? Jesus calls us to a radical faith. It is a faith that is at odds with this world. Are people noticing you? Not because you are trying to be noticed but because you are so focused on God that you don’t notice the world around you. Or are you living in your comfort zone? Do you only spend time with other Christians? Do you talk about Jesus, regardless of who’s around? Or are you living unashamed? If you are, persecution will find you. People will slander you, curse you, and drag your name through the mud because of righteousness. Suffering is a sign of salvation. So stand firm!
Success is defined as “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” My aim in life is Jesus, and my purpose is to please Him. May every motivation of my heart always be to serve Him. To hear Him say “well done” at the end of my life is everything. This is true success.