The word ‘beatitude’ is Latin for ‘blessed’ – and can mean happiness or bliss. But in the Bible, it often refers to something that is ‘approved of’. For example, we read in Scripture that his people “bless” God because they“approve of” what God does.
The Beatitudes, then, express the things which God approves of – the character qualities he ‘blesses’. In other words, this is how believers can please God.
Of course, this should be our goal. The apostle Paul says it is his “ambition” to please the Lord ( 2 Cor 5:9 ). And he urges the believer to “please him in all things” (Col 1:10).
And pleasing God means we are not pleasing a world that is often against God and his ways. The truth is, the Christian is meant to behave differently from those who do not follow Jesus.
The Beatitudes show what God approves of- and importantly, what makes us distinct from the world.
For example, am I more ‘merciful’ to those who wrong me, or am I the one who holds grudges, does not easily forgive and who seeks revenge?
Am I more contrite (‘poor in spirit’) and aware of my sin before God, so that I don’t become self-righteous and smug?
Am I known to be humble and ‘meek’, or someone who is always self-promoting and boastful?
Do I crave for God’s ‘righteousness’, or what our culture and society say is right?
Am I the ‘peacemaker’ in moments of conflict - or do I pour petrol on already inflamed situations?
The point is, who do I want to be ‘blessed’ by today - who do I want to please?
God or the world?
~ Contributed by Pastor Chris Taylor of the Deniliquin Baptist Church, on behalf of the Combined Churches of Deniliquin.
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