Matthew 5:7

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

Merciful is an adjective that implies that this is not just supposed to be a trait that we use as it becomes convenient but that it’s supposed to be a part of who we are. The simple definations for grace and mercy that I always heard growing up were that grace was getting what we don’t deserve, and that mercy is not getting what we do deserve.  Merriam Websters definition of Mercy describes it this way-Compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power. This promise that Jesus gives here that the merciful will receive mercy is not anything new, it’s an echo of what was written in several places in the Old Testament. 2^nd Samuel 22:26 and Psalms 18:25 With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless. Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? And if it’s not enough that He’s also given us an incentive for being merciful in Proverbs. Proverbs 11:17 The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh. Mercy is also a spiritual gift that some are given, and in Romans 12:8 we are shown an important step in the application of the gift. He who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. I’ve been given the spiritual gift of mercy and feel that Romans 12:8 is especially important for me to remember in that mercy should be given cheerfully and not begrudgingly.

Application-I will memorize Micah 6:8 and Proverbs 11:17 and Romans 12:8 in order to do as Romans 12:2 says And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. How better to renew or minds than by memorizing what God commands of us? I will also pray that God gives me wisdom on when and how to correctly apply mercy.

Matthew 5:6

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

Do we hunger and thirst after righteousness, do we long to figure out what God commands us to do and long to find out how to then do what he says? Or do we settle for a little bit of sin is fine, living life for ourselves is fine, righteousness is best on Sundays? When I began to truly start hungering and thirsting after righteousness, when I began to desire to be filled enough that it made changes in the way I lived, the more I gave my life to God the more he filled me. I had been addicted to pornography from the time I was 11 years, but in April 2010 I took my first steps in giving that to him and becoming open about it and willing to share the struggle with the goal of getting rid of it. In May 2011 I left for Potters field ranch, following what I thought may or may not be God’s prodding. At this point I was wanting to be righteous, but not wanting to be real with God. June 6^th Monday morning, I felt God leading me to do a week long fast, this was the first time I would say that I felt I knew with a clarity what God was leading me to do. This was also the first fast that I can remember having done. I was longing for righteousness, and now I was starting to do something about it, Thursday I felt God telling me to get engaged, another time he talked to me with clarity. So like the fast I again followed what I thought he was telling me to do. Flash forward a month, after the wedding is postponed I again decided to follow God, and started praying regularly which up to this point praying on my own time by myself was new to me. After church one week I walked forward to the front of the church to ask God to deal with my pride, yet again stepping out in an effort to be truly righteous and since then, he has been dealing with it many ways. Already as the summer had been progressing God had taken my depression from me, and had begun to fill me. Flash forward, I’m in Montana, in pain but longing to be practical in my pursuit of righteousness, in reading the bible and studying it regularly, in praying and fasting regularly, in putting in to practice his words like… Colossians 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. And guess what, the closer I walk with him, the more I hunger and thirst after his righteousness, the more I’m filled. I oftentimes, ask him to show me his will and forget that he’s already revealed so much of it to me, forgetting to look for filling in his righteousness, and instead settling for a form of “righteousness” that satisfies and glorifies myself. Oh that God would keep me close to him despite my failings.

Application-We are given many commandments as to what righteousness is supposed to look like, both by Jesus in the Gospels, and in the writings of Paul, Peter, and the other New Testament authors. I will begin to compile them and each night meditate on one and ask God to illuminate to me how I can practically apply and ingrain it into my life.

Matthew 5:5

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Meek: Greek (Prautes)

In its use in Scripture, in which it has a fuller, deeper significance than in nonscriptural Greek writings, it consists not in a person's "outward behaviour only; nor yet in his relations to his fellow-men; as little in his mere natural disposition. Rather it is an inwrought grace of the soul; and the exercises of it are first and chiefly towards God. It is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting; it is closely linked with the word tapeinophrosune [humility], and follows directly upon it, Eph 4:2; Col 3:12. it is only the humble heart which is also the meek, and which, as such, does not fight against God and more or less struggle and contend with Him. This meekness, however, being first of all a meekness before God, is also such in the face of men, even of evil men, out of a sense that these, with the insults and injuries which they may inflict, are permitted and employed by Him for the chastening and purifying of His elect". In Gal 5:23 it is associated with enkrateia, "self-control."

The meaning of prautes "is not readily expressed in English, for the terms meekness, mildness, commonly used, suggest weakness and timidity to a greater or less extent, whereas prautes does nothing of the kind. Nevertheless, it is difficult to find a rendering less open to objection than 'meekness'; 'gentleness' has been suggested, but as prautes describes a condition of mind and heart, and as 'gentleness' is appropriate rather to actions. It must be clearly understood, therefore, that the meekness manifested by the Lord and commended to the believer is the fruit of power. The common assumption is that when a man is meek it is because he cannot help himself; but the Lord was 'meek' because he had the infinite resources of God at His command. Described negatively, meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest; it is equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all.

This is the definition given of the word meek in the blue letter bible, and though it’s long I think it’s necessary to have an understanding of what is being talked about when the meek are blessed in this passage. They shall inherit the earth. I personally think it would be cool to be rewarded for my actions with this promise.

Application-When I’m stronger or smarter or better at something than someone else I will consider why I’m doing that thing the way I am, whether it be out of a need to show off or just because it’s what needs done. If it’s showboating I’ll let the Holy Spirit use this verse to correct my mindset to a one of meekness. 2^nd Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Matthew 5:4

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

This verse speaks to me of a prior commitment or person that someone gave enough of their heart to that when it was gone the loss was mourned, not just overlooked and tucked away. It speaks also of a vulnerability in be willing to honestly mourn the loss. To be at this point of breaking, this point of mourning hurts, it hurts a lot. Is it really better to have loved and lost than to never love at all, is it really better to mourn than to live life guarded and not be at such a risk for that kind of pain? I think the words of Jesus here in this verse answer well that question… Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. I personally struggle with truly attaching myself to anyone or anything, I try and stay guarded that way when I leave for the next thing or the next place I won’t have to mourn any loses. Another thing that I struggle with is preparing for the next thing and/or keeping my mind preoccupied with figuring out what’s next, thinking if only this or if only that, I try and finish half-heartedly rather than do my best at the here and now for fear of not finishing or not getting to the next thing quick enough. I know finishing is important but what do you gain if you have to redo something for want of it being done right in the first place? What would it look like though if I were to put this quote truly into practice? “Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” -Jim Elliot-

Application- I pray that God will open my heart up to be able to live out this quote “Wherever you are at, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God” 

Matthew 5:3

Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who are humble in spirit, those who recognize what a wretched spiritual state that they are in, surviving by begging God to meet their spiritual needs, those who know that they are in great need of God. The poor in spirit realize the dire state that they are in, that without outside help they have no hope. They are fully dependent on God and in this dependence are given the promise of the kingdom of heaven.

Application- I pray that God will show me how desperate my need for him really is, and remind me each day of the blessing promised to those humble in spirit.  

Titus 1:4-5

Titus 1:4-5 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you-

Our common faith… These words strike me, it doesn’t matter what language you speak, what age, what gender, what race you are, when you believe in the Salvation that God offers through Jesus Christ, you share something in common with people from around the world. Paul here is writing this letter to Titus in order to help him set in order the things that were lacking in Crete and to appoint elders, he’ll go on to explain what kind of elders in the next few verses. Because ours is a common faith it transcends cultural barriers and carries a culture of its own 1^st Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. As Christians there are characteristics that we are called to have that are independent of culture, Titus 2:12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age, Titus 3:2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. We can provoke our Christian family to these good works no matter where we are, these and all of the other traits that Paul details for us are necessary no matter where you live or what language you speak.

Application-To be culturally sensitive and continue to make an effort to learn more about the culture, but also challenge those I’m working for and with to live godly lives, in specific areas, such as being considerate of others, sharing, peacemaking, etc…