6 Minute Read 
by Bethany Rees

Quick Review: What is a Beatitude? 

A beatitude is a declaration of blessedness that gives a deep spiritual state of joy or well-being in relationship to God. 

Below is the second half of my recap (pun intended) of what God was/is showing me as I journey through the sanctification process with a BE-attitude. You can read the first part of the Beatitudes here.

The Beatitudes - Part 2 

Matthew 5:8-12

Pure in Heart

⁸”Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Clarity of Meaning:  To be pure of heart means our desires, thoughts, words, and actions are aligned with God’s character and have infiltrated every area of our lives. It’s not an outward pious and self-righteous appearance, but an inner pursuit of purity out of the love for God. Those who have a heart aligned with Jesus will not only have a deep spiritual state of joy (blessedness) but will experience God in such a close way that many others miss out on experiencing.

Application: We can always look like a great Christian from the outside, but God knows our heart’s motivation behind our actions. “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7b). It’s the tweak of the motivations of the heart that have us moving from doing things—even good things—out of selfishness to doing them out of selflessness. In staying humble, confessing my sin, submitting to God, desiring a close relationship with Him, and knowing and giving mercy, my heart’s motivations and desires die to selfish agendas and become pure. 

Recap: BE pure in motive—Serve others out of selflessness so that God gets the glory...not me

Peacemakers

⁹”Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Clarity of Meaning:  A peacemaker is a shalom promoter. Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace, meaning total well-being that comes from a right relationship with God.. Peacemakers gently engage with others so that the root of the animosity is pulled up so peace can grow. Those who have a heart to be patient and gentle in how they share truth so it can truly be heard will not only have a deep spiritual state of joy (blessedness) but will be a direct reflection of God’s love and character here on earth. 

Application:  Brass knuckles and a “let me tell you something…” attitude never brought anyone closer to God nor the peace that only He can give. The entire book of James is known as wisdom literature on how a believer is to live out their faith through good works. And a lot of James is devoted to taming our tongues, not winning debates for the Lord: “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20), “and a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18).

Recap: BE a child of God—When others see the peace you sow, they’ll want to know where it comes from…answer: It comes from your Heavenly Father.

Persecuted for Righteousness Sake

¹⁰”Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Clarity of Meaning:  Persecution has a long list of examples throughout history that include horrific realities like martyrdom, genocide, and terrorism. But in “western civilization” or a “democratic culture” it looks more like others speaking against you through personal attacks and campaigns to “cancel you” because of your beliefs. There is a cost of being a disciple of Jesus, and we should not be shocked when we are rejected by nonbelievers. Those who live out their faith by imitating and promoting God’s righteousness instead of fleshly or worldly desires, will not only have a deep spiritual state of joy (blessedness) but will experience eternity in heaven. 

Application:  We are living in a spiritual battle where evil will constantly pursue us so that we stop spreading the kingdom or God, or worse, renounce our faith in Jesus. We must choose if we want to please the world or to please God. Peter tells us “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Paul also reminded Timothy of this truth when he said “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty….Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:1, 12-13). 

Recap: BE countercultural—Stand firm in the faith and value God over the world.

Blessed are YOU so Rejoice

^11-12“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Clarity of Meaning:  

If you are a follower of Christ then you are living in the world, but you are not to be of the world. Jesus has always been very open about what life will be like for believers on this side of heaven: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John:15:18-19). Again, we are not to be shocked when the world rejects us. Those who deny themselves and remain faithful to Christ no matter the circumstance, will not only have a deep spiritual state of joy (blessedness) but will experience an inner joy and gladness because their hope is not in anything of the world but is anchored in living for eternity with Jesus in heaven.

Application:  Despite a major misconception that portrays faithful Christians as those that never suffer, the Bible actually says the opposite. The Bible is full of God’s faithful followers suffering greatly at the hands of unbelieving and even super-religious people. When we follow Jesus, love like Jesus, and become image bearers of God, we will be rejected by the world. We must not take offense when others reject us, but continue loving and serving them as Christ did.  Paul who suffered greatly for spreading the gospel encourages all of us to “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12) and be able to say “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). 

Recap: BE patient and joyful—Despite the affliction you will experience, remain faithful until the end.

As you read through the Beatitudes, ask God to open your eyes and ears, and to soften your heart to his word. He is faithful to show you and grow you. 

Know Better. Do Better. Live Better. Keep Going on Your Sanctification Journey.

Rocks before Sand!

Scripture: 

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” ~ Matthew 5:3-7

Theme Song: 

It Is Well With My Soul - Anthem Lights

References Used:

• The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
• Cobble, Tara-Leigh, host. https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBibleRecap