A young child falls and scrapes their knee. They experience confusion in the chaos of the unexpected even if not seriously injured. In that moment, what do they instinctively do? They cry and look for someone to comfort them. They don’t run to someone with a first aid kit. They don’t think about who they can go to that might have all the answers. That child will run to their mother. She picks them up, holds them close, and whispers, “It’s going to be okay.” She doesn’t take the pain away instantly, but her presence alone brings a calm. The child buries their face in her shoulder, and even while the tears continue, their heart begins to rest.
A mother’s comfort helps us understand how tender and present God is when we need His love.
Matthew 5:3-4 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ESV
The blessing of mourning is the comfort of God.
We miss the blessing of mourning if we medicate our own souls rather than encountering God’s grace. In our own power we attempt to address our mourning and in doing so we violate the first Beatitude. The poor in spirit willingly surrenders all mourning, all grief and all loss before Jesus.
Mourning is the natural result of being poor in spirit. The second should naturally follow the first but that is not always the case. Jesus is explaining that true blessing begins with deep sadness. Blessed are those who know they are in trouble and have enough sense to admit it.
John Piper “Sin is what we do in our heart when we aren't satisfied with God.”
The blessing of mourning
is the comfort of God.
Repentance brings activation: Be clear minded and self-controlled = (consecration) so you can pray = (activation)
1 Peter 4:7
Pain is to the body what conviction is to the spirit.
When that which is problematic to your life is no longer troublesome to your soul, your conscience has been seared. Repentance brings refreshing = Acts 3:19
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ESV
Psalm 51:10–12 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. ESV
Isaiah 1:18 Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. ESV
Acts 3:19–20 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. ESV
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ESV
Sin is not about breaking the rules. It’s about breaking the relationship.
Greatest tragedy of any person’s sin is the life they never lived and the difference they never made in the lives of other people.
Freedom from sin isn’t found in striving but in surrender! Sheer determination isn’t enough to get you free or keep you that way.The issue of sin is not as much an issue of sins as it is an issue of sons. We don’t need a list of wrong things to avoid. We need a greater awareness of the true nature of our Heavenly Father through Christ!
Sin produces chaos in your soul then releases chaos to your world.
GP2RL: Who can you talk to this week about one area of your life you are surrendering more fully to Christ?
Beatitudes are progressive and they begin with the confession of our sinful state progressing to spiritual maturity. This is an invitation into the process of being formed more into the image of Jesus.
Someone new to the faith accidentally called them the “be-altitudes” and it is actually an accurate term. Jesus is revealing a step-by-step progression of being seated in Christ in heavenly places.
Eight Beatitudes are broken down into four reflections of a heart posture and four reflections of a lifestyle of the person who lives under God’s rule.
1. Poor in spirit: Kingdom Recognizing our need for God.
2. Mourning: Grieving over sin and experiencing God’s comfort.
3. Meekness: Yielding control to the Holy Spirit.
4. Hunger for Righteousness: Desiring God’s ways.
5. Merciful: Reflecting God’s compassion.
6. Pure in heart: Walking in integrity.
7. Peacemaker: Carrying God’s burden for reconciliation.
8. Persecuted for righteousness: Kingdom
These first four Beatitudes are descriptions of Blessed emptiness, concluding with the blessing of hunger and thirst. People who are empty are motivated to be hungry.
I don't want to live in this emptiness. I hunger for something more. I hunger for righteousness. I don't just want grief for my sin. This grief leads to a hunger and a thirst to be righteous.
These eight Beatitudes unlock access to God’s Kingdom in our lives. The more we live like citizens of heaven; the more heaven becomes visible through our lives on earth.
