The Beatitudes - Part 7

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

Pure in Greek is katharos. Used in this context it means sincere, upright, void of evil. Purity of hear is not something that is achieved once and for all, but it is a continuous cleansing that the believer experiences as a result of the fulfillment of the previous conditions of blessedness. The more pure a person is, the clearer his sight of God becomes.

This shows the dots still connected. Being poor in spirit, knowing how utterly dependent we are on God and mourning for our sins and the sins of others brings about the meekness inherently needed to make the choice to subdue and control our anger against injustice, sin and the wrath others may try to provoke. Hungering and thirsting for God's righteousness that fully satisfies and empowers leaves the true believer wanting more and more of that righteousness. Because of that righteousness, the true believer develops a heart of mercifulness toward the unbelievers, suffering the consequences with him and doing all he/she can to relieve those consequences by helping the unbeliever come to know salvation through Jesus. In addition, as the believer grows in these character traits, maturing in his own faith, his heart is open to a purifying process that cleanses and refines as the character of Jesus reflects in his life.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Eirenopoieo to make peace – Peacemaker, an ambassador who comes to bring peace. "Peacemaking" is not simply trying to stop the feuding between nations and people, but bringing the peace of God that the believer has experienced to his fellow human beings.

First, kingdom people do not try to force God's whole will on a world unprepared for it. Many first-century Jews had begun to think that revolutionary violence was the only adequate response to the violence of oppression they experienced. Matthew's first audience no doubt could recall the bankruptcy of this approach, which led to crushing defeat in the war of A.D. 66-73. However, Jesus promises the kingdom not to those who try to force God's hand in their time but to those who patiently and humbly wait for it-the meek, the poor in spirit, the merciful, and the peacemakers.

Of course, Jesus' demand does not merely challenge the bloodshed of revolution. Peacemakers means not only living at peace but bringing harmony among others; this role requires us to work for reconciliation with spouses, neighbors and all people-insofar as the matter is up to us. Romans 12:18 instructs: "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."