Yes, happiness is a VERY good thing. For those of us who have a personal relationship with Jesus. Happiness has an even more magnificent meaning— blessed.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus lists the eight principles of “biblical happiness”— The Beatitudes.
- Blessed are the spiritually poor. The Kingdom of heaven is theirs. (Daddy’s Favorite)
- Blessed are those who mourn. They will be comforted. (It’s On!)
- Blessed are the meek and gentle. They will inherit the earth. (No Sand in These Eyes)
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. They will be filled. (Preach It Baby)
- Blessed are the merciful. They will be shown mercy. (Let the Rivers of Mercy Flow)
- Blessed are those who are pure in heart. They will see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers. They will be called children of God.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness. The kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Blessed are those who are pure in heart. They will see God.
Have you ever known someone who appeared honest, dependable and trustworthy, but as time went by this façade crumbled? This happens when personal identity is built upon image rather than authenticity.
Authentic… transparent… transformed… pure in heart believers are easily spotted.
- A quiet confidence emanates from them. The need to impress others has been replaced with a passionate desire to please only God.
- Since there are no hidden agendas or ulterior motives, authentic believers are true to their word and keep promises.
- Knowing they won’t fulfill their Kingdom destiny if they become overly involved in someone else’s goals or problems. They simply say, “No” to anything that isn’t on God’s agenda.
- Although loving towards others. Authentic believers refuse to compromise the Word of God or to live spiritually mediocre lives in order to maintain relationships.
- No longer intimidated by the opinions or acceptance of others. An authentic individual is confident that whoever leans on, trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and will fulfill their Kingdom destiny.
Sadly, both unbelievers and faux Christians shun authentic believers because their light— authenticity illuminates the darkness of deception that resides in them. Unable to honestly address their desires, hurts, fears, failures and flaws, they choose to painstakingly conceal their imperfections. Living lives of pretense and hollowness.
Blaming others or circumstances for their unrighteous, dysfunctional behavior is preferable to submitting to Jesus and His precepts. After all, if they were to acknowledge that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus, these individuals could no longer hide behind pretense and self-deception. They would have to acknowledge the uncompromising and infallible Truth that “we have no obligation to live the way our corrupt nature wants us to live. If you live by your corrupt nature, you are going to die. But if you use your spiritual nature to put to death the evil activities of the body, you will live.”
Knowing biblical love isn’t a greeting card platitude. The pure in heart are fiercely protective of God’s image. Refusing to live lives of compromise even in the face of rejection or persecution. Their lives proclaim, “Almighty God has the key to my heart, and He’s here to stay.”
Romans 8:12-13 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Thanks for listening to my voice! Feel free to like and share it with your friends.
Be kind to someone today! Rita
Be the VOICE heard amidst the deafening sound of sameness!
letsloveothers 