Season 3 Podcast 187 Pt I The Beatitudes and the Structure of Law

The Beatitudes and the Structure of LawIn this podcast, Linda and I would like to examine the nine Beatitudes found in Matthew, each beginning with the word “Blessed.” (1)  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(2)  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.(3)  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.(4)  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.(5)  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.(6)  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.(7)  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.(8)  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(9)  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:3-12) The Beatitudes are a model for all the laws of God. If we understand the model, then we will better understand God and how he works with us through faith.  The Beatitudes are commandments of God. All commandments are laws of God. Each Beatitude has three parts:  (1)  The law(2)  The conditions(3)  The blessing That means, of course, that each law has its opposite. In other words, if you obey the law, you receive the blessing.  If you disobey the law, then you receive the curse. The curse may be a stated curse or it may simply be the absence or denial of the blessing. Those same attributes apply to all the laws of God. If we expect any blessing from God, we must understand the law and obey the conditions of that law. The laws of God are entirely based on our faith. We show our faith by obeying the conditions of the law. That is what James meant when he said, 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (James 1:5-7) Furthermore, James added, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1: 22) And finally, James added, 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:17-20) The works that James is referring to are the conditions of the commandments of God. Works are equivalent to obedience. In other words, we show our faith through our obedience.  James warns that without obedience we won’t receive anything from the Lord, that we deceive ourselves, and that our faith is dead.   Matthew Chapter Five establishes the conditions of the laws that we must meet to inherit the kingdom of heaven.  To understand conditions, let’s turn each Beatitude into a hypothetical statement. A hypothetical statement begins with the word “If.” If defines the conditions.  (1)  If you are poor in spirit, then yours is the kingdom of heaven.(2)  If you mourn, then you shall be comforted.(3)  If you are meek, then you inherit the earth.(