Everyone loves the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:1-12, because they're very practical and down-to-earth teaching about the attitudes and behaviors that every Christian should be trying to live out. Imagine the difficult task that Jesus faced, coming down out of heaven, from a Trinity that enjoys perfect love and community within itself, from a place where everyone finds their own glory in glorifying God, and coming into a world that is so backward, so broken. The Beatitudes are his attempt to illustrate the differences between his way of thinking and our way of thinking.
Jesus says: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
The world says: "Blessed are the rich in material wealth, because they pull all the strings and have all the nice things."
Jesus says: "Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted."
The world says: "Blessed are those who put on a stiff upper lip and pretend they aren't hurting, because vulnerability is weakness."
Jesus says: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
The world says: "Blessed are the aggressive, because nice guys finish last."
Jesus says: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be satisfied."
The world says: "Blessed are those who have low expectations, because they will never be disappointed."
Jesus says: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy."
The world says: "Blessed are the merciless, for they will become CEOs."
Jesus says: "Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God."
The world says: "Blessed are the people who only care about morality when it's convenient, because they will have a much easier life."
Jesus says: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
The world says: "Blessed are the winners, because everyone who's not a winner is a loser."
Jesus says: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
The world says: "Blessed are those who don't take a hard stand for anything, because persecution isn't fun or easy."
Jesus says: "Blessed are you when others revile you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account."
The world says: "Blessed are the tolerant and politically correct, because they're way more open-minded and progressive than those miserable moralistic Christians."
You can perhaps see why living a truly counter-cultural Christianity is so difficult: it flies directly opposite to the conventional wisdom of our society and our age. Living by Jesus' standards and attitudes instead of the world's will cost you something. It will cost you income and promotions if you prioritize your family instead of work. It will cost you opportunities if you insist on behaving ethically when you could make a quick buck by cheating. It will cost you the lifestyle you dream of when you realize there are better things for you to spend your money on than nice things for yourself. It may even cost you friends who don't share your willingness to be "persecuted for righteousness' sake."
Are you living the world's attitudes, or Jesus' attitudes?
Jesus says: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
The world says: "Blessed are the rich in material wealth, because they pull all the strings and have all the nice things."
Jesus says: "Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted."
The world says: "Blessed are those who put on a stiff upper lip and pretend they aren't hurting, because vulnerability is weakness."
Jesus says: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
The world says: "Blessed are the aggressive, because nice guys finish last."
Jesus says: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be satisfied."
The world says: "Blessed are those who have low expectations, because they will never be disappointed."
Jesus says: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy."
The world says: "Blessed are the merciless, for they will become CEOs."
Jesus says: "Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God."
The world says: "Blessed are the people who only care about morality when it's convenient, because they will have a much easier life."
Jesus says: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
The world says: "Blessed are the winners, because everyone who's not a winner is a loser."
Jesus says: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
The world says: "Blessed are those who don't take a hard stand for anything, because persecution isn't fun or easy."
Jesus says: "Blessed are you when others revile you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account."
The world says: "Blessed are the tolerant and politically correct, because they're way more open-minded and progressive than those miserable moralistic Christians."
You can perhaps see why living a truly counter-cultural Christianity is so difficult: it flies directly opposite to the conventional wisdom of our society and our age. Living by Jesus' standards and attitudes instead of the world's will cost you something. It will cost you income and promotions if you prioritize your family instead of work. It will cost you opportunities if you insist on behaving ethically when you could make a quick buck by cheating. It will cost you the lifestyle you dream of when you realize there are better things for you to spend your money on than nice things for yourself. It may even cost you friends who don't share your willingness to be "persecuted for righteousness' sake."
Are you living the world's attitudes, or Jesus' attitudes?
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