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Matthew 5-7 – Beatitudes Begun
The Beatitudes are not just a separate clause of beautiful statements, but a preamble setting the foundation for what follows. Fulfilling true righteousness and imitate God (5:48) is not possible within this Declaration of Dependence without God first and foremost creating within us a poverty of spirit, a mournful self-evaluation, a gentle heart, a hungering and thirsting after God’s righteousness, a merciful attitude, and a pure heart. Will we be sinless? Never, but we will get closer to God’s character because those qualities depend upon His type of love (5:44-45). Living the beatitudes makes us the type of person who can more easily express ourselves through selfless love. Just as a light naturally shines and salt is salty, it becomes natural and easy for us to shine practical love. As we are changed and fulfilled by God (5:3-10); our character changes our surroundings (5:13-16); and we fulfill His ways on earth (5:17).
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