“A child of God should be a visible beatitude for joy and happiness, and a living doxology for
gratitude and adoration”–Charles Spurgeon
Father, what is Your joy if it is not expressed in Your children’s well-being; their prosperity
dissolved in Your rich poverty? It is Your deep joy that brings us righteous happiness that is
due only through Your mercy and grace.
Now, as Your child I am blessed and an heir to the teaching of Jesus as expressed in the beatitudes (Matthew 5: 1-12). But the blessing that is a teaching is lost by default if the teaching stops at the door of self, forcing me to take leave of my spiritual senses.
I must seek Your wisdom to glean and gain the central precepts of Jesus’ moral and ethical teachings that are in His beatitudes that are so simple but yet so utterly profound. They are profound to me in that as I read them as a whole, my intellect says to me, “Yes, that is me, saintly me!” But upon one moment of reflection, my spirit refutes—Who is “the me,” you are talking about? Could it be “the prideful me”?
WALKING THE EMMAUS ROAD
Here is where the rubber meets the road, the chariot comes to a screeching halt…
My spirit and I drop the reins of my horse-driven chariot, and commence to start walking to the tune
of the patter of feet, known as the “shoe leather express.” This takes my spirit and I off the express
lane that was the fast lane to Rome, to a slow walk on the way to Emmaus.
On this walk, I have more than ample time to reflect on each concept of the beatitudes.
What is weighty and could become a burden to my intellect is the fact that here in the
beatitudes is a set of values that are explicit in whom I must become. Now that is a horse of
another colour, it is not that I am already blessed with these values, but it is in fact something I must work toward.
Jesus, You said in Your Word that “I should be perfect just like my Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matt 5:48). My child, it is your relationship with Me that is important; it is your continual repentance and sanctification through fellowship that is attainable through Me. You will not be made in My exact image in your earthly existence. However, it is My design that you will, through a process of constant purging of your volition, attain to the ideal character traits found in the blessings that will reward you in your walk with Me now, while on earth and when you get to heaven.
This is the Image that makes you visible to those you come in contact with. This is the Redeemer’s ultimate goal that you be separated from the idol of self. It is one small step in the continual sanctification process, and a faithful giant leap for your soul to become united with My righteousness. Your joy, as well as happiness, come from recognizing the sin potential that each decision you make has, and must be avoided.
Children of God, these character-building traits found in Jesus’ teaching is the anointing oil to build your spiritual wellbeing. His righteous joy comes in the form of the doxology of His children that resonates in the heavens when they are walking in His image.
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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 5:1-12
Dr. Douglas Kessner has been a child of God for almost half a century. He is the founder and chairman of Cornerstone Ministries, Kingston, Jamaica.