Matthew 5:7- 12

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Recommended: The theme of Christology in the book of Matthew

Matthew 5:7- 12

The second half of the Beatitudes focuses on our relationships with each other. The first three of these deal with how to live like Christ. Verses 10 through 12 show what results from that kind of living. The second half of the Beatitudes also reflects the spiritual growth that is produced by the first half. When we are poor in spirit and place our trust in God's mercy (verse 3), the next step is to give His mercy to others, and this results in the blessing of receiving even more of God's mercy (verse 7).

When we've wanted to sin but we've chosen instead to live God's way even though it makes our flesh-nature mourn (verse 4), we become pure in our hearts and we can see God more fully, i.e., we dwell in the presence of God (verse 8). This purity allows the light of Christ in us to shine more brightly onto others, and they are brought closer to God through the witness of our lives.

When we are meek (verse 5), we become peacemakers (verse 9), because we no longer fight and argue with others. Consider how God deals with us when we choose the path of sin. Does He fight against us? Sometimes it seems like we're wrestling with Him, but it's not God who's arguing: We're the ones who do all the complaining and yelling and struggling. Being peacemakers means we live as His children by handling conflicts the same way He does. We love our "enemies" unconditionally. We turn the other cheek. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. It tells us that God wants us to handle conflicts by being patient instead of demanding, by showing kindness and serving the person who fights against us, by not being rude, by not seeking our own interests or defending our own causes, by not being quick-tempered or brooding over our injuries, by bearing whatever our "enemy" does to us, by never giving up hope and by always enduring.

When we live this way, we become more like Christ than those who don't, and for this reason they persecute us. They convince themselves that they are better than we are, to avoid realizing that they should give up their old ways and be converted. If we're not experiencing persecution, we're not really living the Beatitudes.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Name some of the contrasts between the world and Christianity; for example, lying versus honesty.

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