Living the Beatitudes Daily
This 14-part series on the beatitudes are not a checklist to use in examining ourselves, rather they form the lifestyle expected of a follower of Jesus.
When we truly follow Jesus and yield to His Holy Spirit, we can bring our true nature and colour to light.
“Being” is what we called into – not doing. To Be the attitudes however, the world can only tell who we are by their observation of what we do.
Jesus accentuates that a tree is known by its fruits – Not the roots (which are hidden in the soil), not the leaves (which change with the seasons), not even the tree trunk (which are masks that protect the tree from the weather) but by the fruits. The fruits are the often soft, sweet products of the tree that make for its perpetuity.
We are called to a lifestyle of the beatitudes. Daily displaying the effects of God’s Holy Spirit influence in our lives.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
The Passion Translation of the above scripture renders it in such an amazing manner stressing that the other fruits all stem from love. All the other attributes (joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance) are varied expressions of divine love.
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless. Galatians 5:22 -23(TPT)
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless. So, as we conclude these series on the beatitudes, let us remind ourselves that our acts and actions matter. They are the fruit that define us.
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:10 (KJV)
James categorically said, faith without works is dead. We must work out in our actions the faith we claim exists in our hearts.
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:17, 20, 26 (KJV)
A man lives quietly, helping neighbors, forgiving enemies, praying daily. He didn’t build houses or pastor a Church but his life was truly a reflection of Christ. When he died, at his funeral, the villagers echoed that, “he was the sermon we will never forget. He is the Jesus the preachers preached about.”
Beloved, live your life in a way that Jesus is daily seen and glorified.
Meditate on this
– Which Beatitude challenges me the most right now?
– How can I make the Beatitudes a lifestyle, not just a lesson?
– What fruit of the Spirit do I need to cultivate more intentionally?
Prayer:
Father, just to know You and make You known by displaying the fruit of Your Spirit is my desire and hunger. Grant me the grace to be all that pleases You in Jesus name. Amen.
“The Beatitudes are not just theoretical concepts; they are practical guides for how we can embody the values of God’s kingdom in our daily lives.” – Pastor Loren Christensen
Glory!!