Blessed are the Righteous

The eight beatitudes combine to paint a vivid picture of a godly Christian. Inwardly, we never forget our abject spiritual poverty apart from Christ, and we grieve over the sin that remains in the flesh. Outwardly, we are marked by a meekness that governs our passions, a desire for righteousness that longs to see every blemish on our character made clean, a tendency to mercy that gives favor when justice is deserved, a single-minded devotion to purity of heart, and an ability to bring peace to lives and circumstances by the loving application of truth and righteousness. The natural result of such godliness is Christlikeness, which brings the blessing of God and invites persecution from the world. Why do we pursue godliness? Because we know that we lack it, that no one will see God without it, and that it is found only in wholly submitting our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for our transgressions, and raised for our justification. To Him be the glory!