“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

Have you been persecuted for the sake of righteousness? Notice Jesus says “for the sake of righteousness”. He’s not saying anyone who’s ever been persecuted will get to Heaven. Those who are persecuted for doing Gods work will be the ones rewarded.

The original Greek word for “Persecute” is “ Dioko” which means to aggressively chase, hunt down, and overtake. We see Christian Persecution on a large scale today. ISIS has murdered and persecuted thousands to millions of Christians all over the world. But we should not live in fear, but take heart, because God knows your suffering and your reward will be the Kingdom of Heaven.

Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years Revelation 20:4

The Bible tells us “The Persecuted” will be resurrected and reign with the King of Kings, Lord Jesus Christ during the millennial reign. Just as Christ has overcome death, we shall also overcome. So don’t live in fear of your faith, be strong and courageous just as God has commanded us

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Satan’s time is limited on this Earth. Him and his followers will be looking to devour Gods people like a roaring Lion. However, there will be a day of Redemption. A day when sin and death will exist no more. Hold on during these days of persecution for yours is the King of Heaven in Jesus Name Amen

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

Are you a “Peacemaker”? Peace is something the world is always striving for, we write songs about it, books about it, but it never truly happens. Why? Because its in our instinct to want control, to envy, to lust, to demand power. When we conduct our daily lives, are we truly seeking Peace or conflict?

The original Greek for “Peacemaker” comes from “Eirene” which means “peace of mind” “wholeness when joined together” and “Poieo” which means to “Make, “Construct”, or “Cause” So a “Peacemaker” is one who is looking to unite people by their actions.

Jesus who is the “ Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) taught us about making Peace by “Loving God” (Matthew 22:37) “Loving our Neighbors”(Matthew 22:39) and even  “Loving our Enemies” (Matthew 5:44)  Was this a popular concept? No, this is one of the reasons most Jews turned on him because they wanted war with the Romans.

But by Jesus actions on the cross, he was able to create an eternal Peace that is within that no one can take away. Jesus is the ultimate “Peacemaker”, an actions to bring Peace and unite Gods people.

We should strive to be more like Christ and be a “Peacemaker”. Will it always make you popular? Probably not, but Jesus promised that we would be called Children of God!

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

Are you pure in heart? Many people are religious but that doesn’t mean they will ever see God. We must remember that God reads the hearts and minds of us all (Jeremiah 17:10) Just because you’re putting on a good show for everyone, you’re not fooling God. If your heart is corrupted with evil , you have not truly been transformed. You can’t walk with God and hold hands with Satan.

Even Christians, Jesus taught us that many would profess his name, but he will say depart from me you evil doers, I never knew you! (Matthew 7:23) What is going on here? The problem is just because you call yourself a “Christian” and use the name of Jesus, if your heart is still corrupted, your works are still evil. We see this a lot in today’s Christianity, multi-million dollar Churches and Ministries, proclaiming the name of Jesus, yet becoming corporations. Is there hearts really pure or clean?

So how do we become pure in heart? The Greek word for “heart is “kardia” meaning “center of our being” . Obviously, Jesus isn’t talking about our physical heart but our spiritual heart. The Center core of your being. Is the core of you rotten or is it filled with Holiness? Now remember we will continual to struggle with the flesh, as it’s in our nature to sin. But when you strive to be holy, fill yourself with the Holy Spirit, then the fruits of Gods Spirit will produce.

Is it popular in this world to want to be pure or holy? Of course not, as the world wants to live in sin and enjoy the temporary pleasures of this world. But remember the eternal promise Jesus made to us, the pure in heart will see God!

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Matthew 5:7

Do you need Gods mercy? We live in a world that is very unforgiving. Everyone loves you when you don’t screw up, but once you make a few mistakes, you find out how forgiving someone truly is. The original Greek word for “Mercy” is “Eleos” meaning compassion or pity.

The greatest display of mercy on humanity was at the cross. Even though Jesus was beaten, mocked, and spit on. Before he took one of his last breaths, he said “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34) Because of our sin, we put Jesus on that cross to take the wages of our sins.

Jesus had every right to be angry and judgmental with us. If he refused to lay down his life for us, nobody would have blamed him. But Jesus showed us “Mercy” , “Compassion” , and “ Pity” on all of us. The question is do you accept the Grace from God? Or do you simply ignore the “Mercy” that God has displayed for you at the cross?

Jesus said if you don’t forgive or have mercy on others, then God wont forgive or have mercy on you (Matthew 6:15) As humans its in our nature to seek revenge, or strike war against our enemies. But we must realize the war has already been won for us at the cross Amen!

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6

Do you hunger for righteousness? When we looked around the world today, sometimes it’s hard to even get out of bed. We live in a generation where lawlessness and disobedience has become a way of life. Daily cops are being targeted with violence, our president, whether you like him or not, is daily being threatened with violence or verbally assaulted by the general population, Hollywood has shoved immorality down our throats as an influence with violence and sexual perversion.

Paul talked about this generation:

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

But God is Just (2 Thessalonians 1:6) and one day righteousness will reign again. One day everyone one of us, whether you’re an Atheist or a Christian, will give an account of yourself to God (Romans 14:12) Every word that you speak or action that you take, will be brought before God. Its only by the blood of Jesus Christ that you can be redeemed for your sins.

“He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7-8

Through Jesus Christ will can overcome this world and inherit eternal life, but all those who continue to live in lawlessness and immorality will inherit the “Second Death” which is eternal annihilation and separation from God. The righteous will be satisfied with Peace and Justice in Jesus Name Amen