Here are eight vital principles for living the Christian life
found in Matthew 5:3–12. These are Bible based principles that will enable you to
become all that God fully intended you to be in Christ.
Jesus used the word "blessed" to describe the
inner condition of a believer who has a right relationship with God. It is identified with
pure character. This spiritually prosperous person can live above the chances, changes and
circumstances that come into his life. He does not depend upon appearance, performance and
status for self–verification. His personal being is grounded in a love relationship
with Christ Jesus. Read Ephesians 1:1-14 and observe how the God–head provides our
security, significance and sufficiency.
The
Spiritually Prosperous Person.
Dr. Larry Crabb
observes:
Every Christian is in fact totally
secure and eternally significant. We are loved unconditionally by a
personal God with a sacrificial love which is as profound as it is unwavering.
And we have all been placed in the family of God as children, heirs, and
ambassadors of our Lord. Because of our position in Christ and our place in
His purpose, out lives have meaning. We matter. We are valuable.
We are significant. A personally healthy Christian is persuaded of his worth
in Christ to the point where his motivation to live for God is rooted fundamentally in his
relationship to God. He may not at any given moment subjectively experience the warm
feelings of security and significance, but the Holy Spirit witnesses to his spirit
that he is a worthwhile intimate relative of the living God.
1. I HAVE A PROBLEM.
I have a problem and
it is really worse than I ever thought. This is where the Holy Spirit makes me aware of my
spiritual needs. He brings conviction of sinful behavior, sinful attitudes,
non–biblical values. This can be a time of sincere searching in the Christian’s
heart. It is a continuous process, and it never stops. The promise is that the poor in
spirit will receive the "kingdom of heaven." Indeed we can never become
Christians without this sense of spiritual poverty.
2. THE GIFT OF
MOURNING.
This is my emotional
response to becoming aware of my deep spiritual needs. It is my response to personal loss.
What is my attitude toward my spiritual poverty? I am not as good as I thought I was. I
need help now. Cf. Romans 7. The promise to those who mourn is they shall be
"comforted."
3. THE
SPIRIT–CONTROLLED PERSON.
The Lord God provides
the power to change and grow. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s
life and ministry. We have all the resources available to us that we need to bring about
the necessary changes in our lives. Cf. Romans 8. The promise is we shall "inherit
the earth."
4. HOW BADLY DO I
WANT TO CHANGE?
Do you really want to
change in these areas where the Holy Spirit has brought conviction? How badly? Is it bad
enough to "hunger and thirst" for the righteousness of God? The promise is we
will be "satisfied."
5. YOU GET BACK
WHAT YOU GIVE.
The emphasis here is
on the reciprocation of attitudes. When you give mercy you get mercy back. When you judge
you will be judged in return. When you are hostile you get hostility in return. This
principle is found throughout the Scriptures (Cf. Matthew 7:1–2, 12; Luke 6:31, 37;
Matthew 6:14, 15; Proverbs 11:17; 15:1, 18; Galatians 6:9; II Corinthians 9:6–9;
Galatians 5:14, etc.)
The mature Christian also has the strength to change what he
receives from others, even if it is meant to be evil, and use it for the good of the
Kingdom. I Peter 3:8–11. We do not have to parrot back what we get if it is negative,
or even hostile. We can be God–controlled men and women. We can give them back what
they need, not what they deserve. We can exchange anger, hostility, rejection, etc. for
what is best for the other person. The promise is we will receive "mercy."
6. THE RENEWING
OF THE WHOLE PERSON.
God has provided His
means of cleansing the whole person. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John
1:9). This catharsis is God’s way of cleansing the "heart" (Matthew
15:11-20). Here is a principle for dealing with hostility, resentments, guilt, fear, etc.
The promise is that we will "see God."
7. THE ACTIVE
MAKERS OF PEACE.
It is the active
process of bringing reconciliation with God, yourself and others. The promise is that we
will be "called sons of God." Every time we take the Gospel out of the realm of
self–edification and share it with others we are peacemakers.
8. THE ACID TEST
OF SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY.
How do you know that
you are growing spiritually? How do you handle adverse reactions, criticism, rejection, or
persecution? The promise to the persecuted is the "kingdom of heaven." |