Friday, January 21, 2011
Luke 6:20-23 "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!"
CONGRATULATIONS!
It seems more and more that those who follow Jesus Christ and treasure the Word of God are considered extremists and fanatics. We are often of necessity politically incorrect, because we strive to be scripturally correct and faithful to the Word of God. We are politically incorrect and considered arrogant because we confess that those who do not believe in Jesus Christ will not go to heaven. Jesus said (John 14:6), "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." We are considered judgmental because we quote Scripture and say that adultery and homosexuality are sins. Do I need to go on? Indeed, the list is a long one.
Should we be surprised to find that the blessings of being a Christian also seem contrary to the world's ideas and ideals? Truly, what the world considers pitiful and sad, Jesus pronounces His blessing upon and says to us, "Congratulations, Christians! For you are poor and you know it; Hungry and you feel it; Grieving and you are happy about it; Hated and persecuted and you jump for joy!"
Jesus says you are blessed because by the grace of God you believe that you have nothing to offer God in exchange for your lives; that your rightful home is in hell; that your best deeds are like dirty tattered clothing.
Jesus says you are blessed because each day you awake and hunger -- not for food, but for God's love and perfection to cover your sins.
Jesus says you are blessed if you sob bitterly because of your sins against God. Those who come humbly to God like the tax collector saying, "God be merciful to me, a sinner," are truly blessed before God. This is the attitude of faith, a gift of God.
Great indeed and priceless is the inheritance that is yours in Christ Jesus. Congratulations Christians. Thanks be to God!
