The circumstance = Perfecting/manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit = Our blessing.
Poor in spirit = Love = Kingdom of heaven
Mourning = Joy = Comforted
Meek = Peace = Inherit the earth
Hunger & thirst after righteousness = Patience = Be filled
Merciful = Kindness = Obtain mercy
Pure in heart = Goodness = Shall see God
Peacemakers = Faithfulness = Called children of God
Persecuted for righteousness sake = Gentleness = Kingdom of heaven
Reviled, persecuted, spoken evil of = Self-control = Great reward in heaven
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (v3)
Through being “poor” in spirit (broken?) the LOVE of God is perfected in us. As we live through and overcome spiritually devastating situations our compassion for others grows.
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (v4)
Only having experienced mourning can we truly then experience, understand, and come to be grateful for real JOY. The JOY of the Lord, which is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10), not a temporal joy as experienced in the things of this world.
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (v5)
This one gets me every time I read it. Not only because Jesus specifically said to learn of Him for He is meek and lowly in heart (Matt 11:29) but because what meek really means. I had it once described to me as having power and authority yet knowing when and when not to use it. The basic dictionary definition is: enduring injury with patience and without resentment. Now isn't that just the character of Jesus!
To know, though, that we truly are meek, I think we have to live through circumstances where that character can manifest. Maybe it’s the PEACE that surpasses all understanding that allows the meekness to overrun any other instinct that tries to rise up. Or maybe overcoming through an attitude of meekness makes manifest the PEACE of God within us.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (v6)
To hunger and thirst after righteousness will develop PATIENCE (longsuffering) in waiting on the Lord. We soon learn that things happen on His watch, not ours. And they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31). Tell me that’s not being filled!
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” (v7)
In moments where mercy rejoices against judgment (James 2:13), the KINDNESS (gentleness) of God is perfected in us.
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (v8)
Pure in heart – always thinking on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, any virtue and praise (Phillipians 4:8)—brings forth the GOODNESS of God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (v9)
In striving to maintain peace in all situations, spiritual, emotional ,etc., our FAITHFULNESS to our Lord is strengthened.
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (v10)
Persecuted for doing good makes manifest the GENTLENESS (meekness) of the Spirit. Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, bless them that curse you, pray for them which despitefully use you (Luke 6:27-28).The GENTLENESS of our Lord will overcome the evil that tries to hinder us.
“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.” (v11-12)
And the final fruit of the Spirit—SELF-CONTROL (temperance). What better way for this attribute to be made manifest in us then through reviling and being evil spoken of? How many people just want to bite back, avenge their insults? Blessed are we for in this is SELF-CONTROL perfected in us.
I’m sure many of the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit could be made manifest/perfected in many of these situations, but I thought it was neat when you put them side-by-side.
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