First, the poor in spirit have the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 - ""Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." They are not financially poor, though more poor people believe the gospel than rich. James 2:5 — “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?” These, however, are poor spiritually, because they know that they are sinners, fallen short of God’s glory, and there’s nothing that they can do about it. They need help from Somewhere Else, and must obtain mercy.

They can’t offer God good works to pay off their debt. They don’t even have the strength to do good, unless God saves them by Jesus Christ. They are poor and needy. This poverty is uncomfortable, so they mourn. Matthew 5:4 - ""Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." They are meek, which is submissive to God and his word. Matthew 5:5 - ""Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." They agree with God that he owes us nothing and would be right to damn us forever. They have no claims on mercy but mercy.

These are the ones that God hears in prayer, because he’s a pitying and a saving God. He has mercy on sinners who cannot help themselves, can never deserve mercy, and have nothing to give him. Isaiah 66:2 - "But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and lame in spirit and trembles at my word." He has mercy because he’s gracious and delights to manifest his glorious goodness.

Are you a sinner? Then God will save you. Most people are patched up with their own goodness: They go to church, give money, evangelize, or post on Facebook. They no longer sleep around. They are married now, or celibate. They don’t need Jesus to be all their righteousness and strength. Isaiah 45:24 - ""It will be said about me, 'Righteousness and strength are found only in the LORD.' " All who are enraged against him will come to him and be put to shame." They are better than someone else… better than before… so they think. They do not care what God says, because they chase the world. They only want Christ to GIVE THEM THE WORLD, and take them to heaven when they die. They are not poor in spirit! They are rich and proud.Revelation 3:17 — "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked."

Secondly, God wants us to desire righteousness! Matthew 5:6 - ""Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Not money, such as silver and gold, not a wife, a new job, or a fancy title. He doesn’t want us desiring anything more than being righteous with God and living rightly before him. He says,

Micah 6:8 - "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Hosea 6:6 - "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."

God wants us to live uprightly. He wants us to do good to people. He wants us to imitate him in love. In fact, the new commandment is that we love each other as he has loved us. John 13:34 - "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

In the USA, people are trying to put the Ten Commandments back in schools, etc. Ok. It is far better, however, to put what the Lord Jesus commands us, because IT HAS THE GOSPEL IN IT.

If we can love, like we are loved, then we do rightly, and please God. No one has ever kept the law, not even one point, because it demands perfection from the heart. Galatians 3:10 - "For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them."" Paul couldn’t stop himself from coveting, and to offend in one point is to be guilty of all! James 2:10 - "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it." The gospel, however, says, “Christ died for you and loves you! He wiped away your sin. Now, go out and love others.” This is showing others mercy. Matthew 5:7 - ""Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." The Good Samaritan was merciful to his neighbor, and we’re to lift up sinners around us.

Let our focus change. No longer is it being better than others; it is treating them rightly. No longer are we earning our way to blessings, we are serving because we’re fully blessed already. Ephesians 1:3 — "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,"

Thirdly, peacemaking is what we’re to do. Matthew 5:9 - ""Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Our job is to reconcile sinners to God… to cry out like Paul, “Be ye reconciled,” to say like Peter, “Be saved from this wicked generation,” and to point people to the only hope in Christ. Our whole life is about him. Nothing is about ourselves and our own glory. We are on a mission that trumps everything: We are commanded to be soul winners, and we are wise. Proverbs 11:30 — "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise."

The gospel has been given to us as a trust, so we can get it out. 1 Timothy 1:11 - "in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted." It’s not meant to be held onto, pushed to the side, and ultimately covered. The gospel is the one saving message that all must believe; it is God’s commandment!

Devote your life to this. Get grace, so you can live godly, so others can see. Be blameless, so you can point others to Christ. Don’t be selfish. Make peace with sinners and evangelize. Put away things that hinder you reaching them. Be like Paul, the servant of all, so that you may win more! 1 Corinthians 9:19 - "For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them."

Raise your children to know Jesus, and huddle together as a family. Be a strong member of your church, who can be counted on. Forsake the side shows for faithfulness, and put Christ first. God’s peace and assurance will abound. You’ll be called a child of God!

Finally, this blessed life has persecutions! Matthew 5:10-12 ESV — "“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

As we’re all out for Christ, we must suffer. Some may be Muslims who try to kill or intimidate us. Some will be false saints, and some will even be true saints moved by envy or false zeal. Deal with it faithfully, and keep pressing. 2 Timothy 1:8 - "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,"

John MacArthur says that a successful life is obedience, no matter the costs. He is right. Let us be faithful, gracious, and uncompromising. Let’s do nothing for human favor, and everything for God’s glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 - "but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts." He will reward us!