Kingdom Living: The Beatitude of Love – Part 1

This week, Michael writes that according to Isaiah 55, God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts. The Apostle Paul said, I count not myself to have attained, but this one thing I do, pressing toward the prize of the upward calling of Christ Jesus. We look forward to the hope of Christ’s return. For when that which is perfect is come, at his return, then shall we know also as we are known.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke a new message about a new Kingdom ... a kingdom that is not of this world ... a kingdom whose beautiful attitudes of love (the beatitudes) transcend worldly attitudes. Jesus said to His disciples in John 15:9-13, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

When Jesus told them that He was going to Jerusalem and He would be shamed, persecuted, arrested, tortured and crucified, The Apostle Peter said, “I’ll never let that happen.” He said, “I’ll be faithful until the end even unto death.” In moments of heightened emotion, like Peter, we make promises with our mouths that our hands and feet cannot keep. Even though we sincerely mean these vows, the spirt is willing but the flesh is weak. Those who teach us about life, come along side to encourage us and to pick us up when we fall. Thank God for godly men and women who by their examples taught us to love, not in word but in deed and in truth.  

Many people say they’ll give their life for a worthy cause. However, it’s more difficult to walk the talk than talk the walk ... to walk within God’s will faithfully day by day, following and doing the little things He’s called us to do. Salvation is easy because of the price Jesus Christ paid on our behalf. The daily walk is more difficult ... to work out our own salvation step by step according to the path that God has prepared in advance for us to walk.

Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what good is that. Don’t even the despised tax collectors do that?”The Pharisees taught that you should love your neighbors who were other Israelites, but hate your enemies who are not those of the twelve tribes of the house of Israel. The new message from Jesus said you are to love your enemies and bless those who curse you and despitefully use you. The Old Testament was given to Israel because God loved them. The Ten Commandments were God’s wedding vows ... His “terms of endearment” to Israel.  The Ten Commandments said, “Do not use the name of the Lord Jehovah thy God in vain.” God’s intent was that they use His name as a term of endearment in love, honor, awe and reverence ... to run to His throne of grace, mercy, forgiveness and love. However, the Pharisees hardened their hearts and took this verse to mean, “I won’t use the name of God at all.” They took the vowel points out of God’s Hebrew name so that no one could pronounce the name of Jehovah. They missed completely God’s intent that they use His name as an expression of affection, awe, and honor... to love Him above all.

Let's continue Michael's message on the next post.

InChrist, Brian