The Price of Faithfulness

A true relationship with Christ is described by Jesus in the beatitudes we have studied so far. The characteristics of true believers are:

Beggarly poor in spirit–a recognition you have nothing to help your spiritual condition and you can't do anything about it.

Mourning over your sin because you see it as God sees it, and you hate it. Meekness–the character quality wrought by the Spirit of God working in the heart of a redeemed sinner.

Hunger and thirst for righteousness–the change in appetite developed by God in His children.

Mercy–because those who receive the mercy and forgiveness of God are so changed they become merciful and forgiving.

Pure in heart is the evidence that God is at work, transforming a life from the inside out, as opposed to man's way of trying to reform from the outside in.

Peacemakers is the description of redeemed people who become instruments of truth and righteousness.

As we've said at every opportunity, these beatitudes (or blessings) are both the description of a Christian, because they describe the fundamental changes that come with salvation, and they are the goals of the Christian life because they describe the way God intends for us to demonstrate our changed lives by our behavior.

The beatitudes close with the price tag for living out the life of a Christian. When you live as a Christian, some people won't like it. Persecution is part of the Christian life to one extent or another, depending on your circumstances. Jesus promises to bless those who endure it for His sake.

1. Persecution in Principle (10)
2. Persecution in Person (11)
3. Persecution and Praise (12)