Do you need a "be-attitude" adjustment?

Matthew 4:23-5:16

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.” Matthew 5:1-2

The theme of the Beatitudes is true righteousness. The verses are not rules to follow but a description of what a Christian who is filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit is like. It is similar to the list of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23a, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” 

Every one of the qualities in the Beatitudes and the fruit of the Spirit list should be found in each Christian. So the beatitudes are attitudes that ought to be in our lives if we are true Christians. The Pharisees and teachers of the law kept the letter of the law, but Jesus is teaching that keeping the spirit of the law is much more important.

True happiness comes from a life of total dedication to God and obedience to His Word and His will. “Blessed” means “happy”, or “fortunate”. Happiness depends upon what we are, not on what we have or what we do or where we go. We will be truly happy if we allow the Holy Spirit to build these eight qualities in the beatitudes into our lives.

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3) The “poor in spirit” are those who are humble, who realize how weak and sinful they are apart from Christ. They are not proud, self-sufficient, or self-righteous.
2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4) The mourning in this verse is a sincere sorrow for sin, the kind of sorrow that leads to repentance. God forgives and comforts us when we sincerely ask.
3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5) Meekness is power under control. It is not asserting our own rights but living to glorify God. It is the opposite of self will.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6) A true Christian has an appetite for spiritual things, not worldly things.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7) God has shown us mercy in forgiving us, and He expects us to show mercy and forgive others.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8) The pure heart is not divided between God and the world. It is focused on devotion to God, which allows the pure in heart to see God more clearly.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9) Peacemakers are more than just peaceful themselves. They try to bring peace between others.
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10) True righteousness stands firm in the face of opposition and speaks out for Christ.

It is only as we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives moment by moment that these attitudes will be found in us.

Father, I cannot live the Christian life. I cannot be all I should be or do all I should do. But I thank You, that, although I cannot live the Christian life, I can experience it because You are willing to live it through me by the Holy Spirit. May I give Him full control. Amen.