Introduction
A blessed life is the desire and expectation of all people. Jesus taught about this “blessed life” in the Sermon on the Mount, to the disciples and also the multitude. The Greek word for blessed is makarios, which literally means happy. The Latin word for blessed is beatus, which means perfect happiness; the word beatitude is derived from this word. Jesus taught that blessed life depends on inner character; conduct flows out of inner character. The Jews were concerned about conduct and not character. The beatitudes reflect Lord’s instruction for a happy life, death and eternity. It systematically dismantles the roots of all human philosophies. The first four beatitudes deal with one’s attitude towards self, and the last four is one’s attitude towards others. Believers often face cruelty, corruption, conflicts, and criticism from all sides. Jesus teaches that for perfect happiness following attitudes to self and towards others are essential.
1. Pardon when facing Cruelty
The seventh beatitude says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” v. 7.
Christians face cruelty in different forms; injury, injustice, wrong doing, and filthy sayings. Throughout the centuries the Church faced cruel treatments from local leaders. They spread lies and support lies to renounce faith in Christ. Jesus says blessed are those who show unmerited favour to the people despite their cruel behaviours. It is important to show sympathy, empathy and forgiveness flow out of love (Eph. 2:4-5). In order to forgive, believers who have already experienced the reckless love of God, must pass it onward.
The resource of mercy is in Triune God. Father is faithful in mercy and compassion, brings hope to the troubled, and comforts those who are in discomfort (2 Cor. 1:3). Jesus is merciful and the faithful High Priest (Heb. 2:17). Holy Spirit gives the gift of showing mercy to those who suffer (Rom. 12:8). Believers are partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4) and they have the resource to show mercy. Jesus says, “Be merciful just as Father is merciful (Lk. 6:36).” Reflection of Father’s mercy is steadfast love, which is outgoing kindness. Biological Fathers show kindness to the children because they are uninformed, inexperienced, and immature; hence, tolerate and forgive. Forgiving spirit flows from mercy (Tit. 3:5), and if we do not forgive, the Father will not forgive (Mt. 6:14-16). Mercy is the heart and soul of the Gospel; justice is heart and soul of the Law. Showing mercy is not a weakness.
Perfect happiness depends on pardon when believers face cruel treatment from family, church, and society. It requires letting go of grudges, learning from failures, and showing grace instead of exposing others’ faults. It also requires showing spiritual mercy, grieving for lost souls, praying for them, proclaiming the truth, and offering forgiveness. Jesus was betrayed, falsely accused, beaten, nailed on the cross; however, He prayed, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing (Lk. 23:34).” The rewards of mercy is that believers inherit kingdom of God (Mt. 25: 34-35) and find mercy on the Day of Judgment (2 Tim. 1:18). Unmerciful receives judgment without mercy (Mt. 18:34-35).
2. Purity when Facing Corruption
The eighth beatitude says, “Blessed are the Pure in Heart, for they will see God.”v. 8.
Believers live in a world filled with corruption—marked by perversion, pollution, and pornography. The media plays a major role in spreading corruption and fostering a society influenced by demonic forces. Jesus says purity of the heart is essential to see the presence of God. The Greek word for purity is catharisis, which means make pure by cleansing filth, dirt, and contaminations. In counselling it is cleansing of mind and emotion, and in metallurgy it is refining until impurities are removed. God implanted purity in the heart (Eph. 1:7), which is the seat of intellect, emotion and will. To face corruption in the world, there is a need to change mentality, morality, and materialistic attitude.
Thoughts play a significant role in maintaining purity. Impure thoughts and imaginations affect the mentality. It opens the door for evil to intrude into one’s life. During Noah’s days imaginations apart from God controlled the humanity (Gen. 6: 5). It was an age of social promiscuity, scientific progress, and spiritual presumption. Today, inclination of the thoughts is evil like the ancient days and a transformation in thinking (Phil. 4:8-9) is essential for purity. Further, traits are particular type of behaviours that mould the morality. Satan engaged Lot’s household with the things of the world (Gen. 13:12) and deviated his eyes from the eternal things and he ended up neglecting the spiritual welfare of the children. Children absorb the values of the world, prioritizing what is popular, polluted, aggressive, and even sinful or evil.
Furthermore, the transcendental experience plays a significant role in purity of the heart. It requires intrinsic spirituality and not religious spirituality. Secular humanism gives importance for science based religion. Today’s entertainment, technology, and economic pursuits undermine the institution of marriage and contribute to the rise of domestic violence. It reinforces fighting for the rights of alternate lifestyle. Believers are called to be distinct from their surrounding culture due to God’s holiness. There is a primal purity in God, an original purity in creation, and a positional purity through faith (Rom. 4:5). Practical purity involves participation in God’s holiness and living a Spirit-filled life that governs moral, material, and marital relationships (Eph. 5:21-6:9). It empowers individuals to confront societal corruption and transform those who have been led astray.
3. Peace making when facing Conflicts
The ninth beatitude says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”v. 9
Sin causes conflicts that separate humans from God and one another, impacting personal, family, church, and social life. Disagreements arise when people fail to get along. Local churches face doctrinal, leadership, believer, resource, worship, moral, and ethical conflicts. Troublemakers exist in every organization. Understanding God’s character, commission, and compensation is essential for peace-making.
The Triune God plays a vital role in bringing peace. The Father is the source of peace, the Son is its manifestation, and the Holy Spirit is its agent. God is the author of peace, and Jesus is the supreme peacemaker. Peacemaking reflects the Father’s adoption, advocacy, accessibility, and attitude. The Gospel is centred on peace, and peacemakers serve as bridge builders—restoring relationships between man and God, and among people (Mt. 18:15-17). Peacemaking is a divine command (1 Thess. 5:13). The church’s purpose is to pursue peace, making use of every opportunity to do so (Rom. 12:18). This stands in contrast to the actions of the Pharisees in their time.
The reward for peace making is the eternal privilege of being God’s children. God cares for His own, and believers experience peace with God, the peace of God, and peace with others. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, has provided true peace through the cross. Peacemakers actively pursue peace, bringing healing, harmony, health, and holiness into the lives of those in conflict.
4. Patience when facing Criticism
Tenth beatitude says, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely, say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” v.11.
Believers face criticism and persecution worldwide. Unbelievers mock, ridicule, reject, and even martyr them. Jesus foretold persecution, and those who suffer for His sake are citizens of the Kingdom of God. Scripture affirms that all who desire to live a godly life will face persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Believers are not only called to faith but also to suffering (Phil. 1:29-30). Persecution takes many forms—physical, psychological, and legal. Physical persecution includes expulsion, abuse, unjust treatment, harm, ostracism, attacks, and even torture. Psychological persecution manifests through verbal insults, abusive language (Heb. 11:36), and corrupt speech (Jude 15). Legal persecution is through prosecution to harm the reputation of the believer by the unbelievers. There is no opportunity for the believers to correct it or get justice from the Law court, since it is controlled by secular humanism. Jesus, Apostles, and followers of Christ suffered prosecution. Jesus did not retaliate, but entrusted to the one who judge justly (1Pet. 2:23). Persecuted believers experience identity with the sufferings of Christ, indwelling of God’s glory, and intimacy of Christ (1 Pet. 4:12-16). Also, enjoys special honour (Acts 5:21), special consolation (2 Cor. 1:5), closeness of God (1 Pet. 4:14), greater witness for Christ (2 Cor. 1:4-6), and coregent with Christ (Rom. 8:17).
In conclusion, Christians must cultivate inner character that shapes their conduct. The second section of the Beatitudes teaches that true happiness comes from extending forgiveness to the cruel, maintaining purity amid corruption, pursuing peace in conflict, and showing patience in the face of criticism. The Cross, the Holy Spirit, the Divine Nature, and the example of Jesus all work together to strengthen believers, bringing joy both in this life and for eternity.
