My paraphrase of the Beatitudes & Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5:3-20)
The kingdom (government) of God reigns in humble human hearts as they submit to and obey the risen Jesus instead of self.
The grief of pain and loss will turn into a blessing, if we allow it to draw us close to the risen Jesus and His inner comfort.
People who courageously show kindness and love to their enemies, awaken the conscience of their foes to the evil of hostility and hatred.
People who sincerely want their heart and behavior to be right, will be filled with brokenness for their sin.
People who compassionately forgive others, will be forgiven when they’ve hurt or offended someone.
It’s time for Christians to demonstrate the power God gives Christ-followers to love people that the world says we should hate.
If instead of following religious pride, we allow the living Jesus to purify our heart, we will experience God like never before!
Those who let the Holy Spirit lead them to peace with God and with people will be recognized as God’s children.
People who won’t let peer pressure, insults, bullying, or violence force them into wrong behaviors, are ruled by God’s kingdom.
False insults are a blessing to Christ-followers because they verify that we are obeying God like the prophets did.
Christ-followers are called to influence the world with demonstrations of Christ’s love and joy, but if we act like the world, we can’t.
When people are unable to see the risen Jesus living in and thru His followers, Christianity is considered a triviality.
Jesus’ love and forgiveness didn’t do away with moral standards; it made a way for Jesus to live His moral life, in and thru you!
If you humbly and compassionately, live out in your daily life, and teach God’s moral commands, you demonstrate that you’re letting the living Jesus rule you from within.
My summary: A law is an external rule, but the kingdom of God is when people let the living Jesus rule them internally. Biblical Christianity isn’t lessons that you learn thru lectures about God. It’s the living Jesus leading and guiding you from the inside out.
Pride divides but insight unites. For more insights check out my book: The Joy Of Early Christianity at this link.
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