Blessed Are The Steadfast
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”
Matthew 5:11
"Blessed"
This is to be happy with an eternal mindset. It's not temporary happiness, but lifelong joy. This is to find absolute peace in your life, no matter your circumstances. To be “blessed” is to understand that you have been given grace by a Holy God. Even though we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-3), it is God who has chosen to make us alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4). “For by Grace are we Saved Through Faith” in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). This comprehension should bring to you much joy!
To be "blessed" is to understand and submit to the Sovereignty of God in all situations. Whether things are going well or poorly, you know that you have been blessed by the Supreme Ruler of the Universe. You surrender to His Sovereign will and you have submitted to His decree. To be “blessed” is to view yourself as nothing more than a servant of the King, and no matter the assignment given to you, you will joyfully carry it out with all hope of eternity.
As you consider “blessings” don’t think of just physical gifts that God gives to us — that is a worldly mindset. To be "blessed" is to be totally satisfied in Christ no matter your circumstances. The difference between a genuine believer in Christ and one who is just in search of “blessings” is found in the result of the search. The world is seeking the benefits of Jesus, where the true believer is pursing Christ Himself. The world calls healing a “blessing,” but will not call sickness a “blessing.” The world will call a prosperous person “blessed,” but will not understand that a poor man can be “blessed.” It is not the results of Christ that are the blessings, but it is Jesus Christ Himself. He is sufficient. He is all-satisfying. Pursue Him as a deer pants for the water (Psalm 42:1-2).
Consider the “blessing” found in Hebrews 11:24-26…
“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”
Moses set his mind on the things that are above. He resolved in his heart that he was going to serve the Lord our God no matter what the cost. He could have lived the life of luxury in a palace with everyone waiting on him and and foot. But instead, being called by God, Moses obeyed his Creator and refused to be comfortable. This decision had to be intentional. This decision changed the course of the rest of his life and continued forth the plan of God for the redemption of man.
The calling of the life of an Ambassador is not to be comfortable on this earth. We are to refuse the offerings of this world and set our compass north, looking to the Author and Perfecter of our Faith. Our lives should not be a reflection of this world, but should instead be a reflection of our Lord and Savior. Note in Hebrews 11:25 that the happiness of this world is described as “fleeting.” And this is something that we have to keep in mind. Everything that this world offers as “happiness” is fleeting. To be “Blessed” in this life is to have an eternal mindset, understanding that eternal joy is much greater than fleeting happiness.
Summary of the Beatitude
Jesus makes it abundantly clear from the very beginning of his teaching ministry that if you are going to follow Him, then you are going to face persecution. People are going to not want to be your friends. People are going to hate you and your God. And you are going to have to live with that. You are going to have to resolve in your heart that following Christ is far greater than anything that this world has to offer. Your life cannot be both a reflection of this world and a reflection of Christ. You cannot serve two masters. You must make the decision to either reject the world or reject Christ.
You are going to be made fun of for following Christ. Your co-workers might not understand why you can’t do this or do that. Former friends might slander your name. You may have to give up things that your former life loved in order to follow after Jesus. You will most definitely have to surrender all of your life to Christ… every element. But here is the deal: There is MUCH blessing for the Sovereign Creator of the Universe when you totally and completely surrender all that you have to all that He is.
This is to be happy with an eternal mindset. It's not temporary happiness, but lifelong joy. This is to find absolute peace in your life, no matter your circumstances. To be “blessed” is to understand that you have been given grace by a Holy God. Even though we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-3), it is God who has chosen to make us alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4). “For by Grace are we Saved Through Faith” in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). This comprehension should bring to you much joy!
To be "blessed" is to understand and submit to the Sovereignty of God in all situations. Whether things are going well or poorly, you know that you have been blessed by the Supreme Ruler of the Universe. You surrender to His Sovereign will and you have submitted to His decree. To be “blessed” is to view yourself as nothing more than a servant of the King, and no matter the assignment given to you, you will joyfully carry it out with all hope of eternity.
As you consider “blessings” don’t think of just physical gifts that God gives to us — that is a worldly mindset. To be "blessed" is to be totally satisfied in Christ no matter your circumstances. The difference between a genuine believer in Christ and one who is just in search of “blessings” is found in the result of the search. The world is seeking the benefits of Jesus, where the true believer is pursing Christ Himself. The world calls healing a “blessing,” but will not call sickness a “blessing.” The world will call a prosperous person “blessed,” but will not understand that a poor man can be “blessed.” It is not the results of Christ that are the blessings, but it is Jesus Christ Himself. He is sufficient. He is all-satisfying. Pursue Him as a deer pants for the water (Psalm 42:1-2).
Consider the “blessing” found in Hebrews 11:24-26…
“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”
Moses set his mind on the things that are above. He resolved in his heart that he was going to serve the Lord our God no matter what the cost. He could have lived the life of luxury in a palace with everyone waiting on him and and foot. But instead, being called by God, Moses obeyed his Creator and refused to be comfortable. This decision had to be intentional. This decision changed the course of the rest of his life and continued forth the plan of God for the redemption of man.
The calling of the life of an Ambassador is not to be comfortable on this earth. We are to refuse the offerings of this world and set our compass north, looking to the Author and Perfecter of our Faith. Our lives should not be a reflection of this world, but should instead be a reflection of our Lord and Savior. Note in Hebrews 11:25 that the happiness of this world is described as “fleeting.” And this is something that we have to keep in mind. Everything that this world offers as “happiness” is fleeting. To be “Blessed” in this life is to have an eternal mindset, understanding that eternal joy is much greater than fleeting happiness.
Summary of the Beatitude
Jesus makes it abundantly clear from the very beginning of his teaching ministry that if you are going to follow Him, then you are going to face persecution. People are going to not want to be your friends. People are going to hate you and your God. And you are going to have to live with that. You are going to have to resolve in your heart that following Christ is far greater than anything that this world has to offer. Your life cannot be both a reflection of this world and a reflection of Christ. You cannot serve two masters. You must make the decision to either reject the world or reject Christ.
You are going to be made fun of for following Christ. Your co-workers might not understand why you can’t do this or do that. Former friends might slander your name. You may have to give up things that your former life loved in order to follow after Jesus. You will most definitely have to surrender all of your life to Christ… every element. But here is the deal: There is MUCH blessing for the Sovereign Creator of the Universe when you totally and completely surrender all that you have to all that He is.
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