A New Lifestyle

Matthew 5: 3

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus came to save the world from sin, but He also came to teach us how we should live. The sermon on the mount was given to God’s people. The people of Israel were God’s chosen people, called to be a Nation who followed the law of God. They were good at keeping the ceremonial law and the OT commandments, but Jesus came to teach them a new law, a law that needed to be written on their hearts. The keeping and fulfillment of this law would come when full salvation was made available by his death on the cross and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The essence of true Christianity goes beyond keeping a list of rules of behavior. God did not abolish the rules of behavior, but dug deeper into the lifestyle of those who called themselves children of God. Blessed are those who are poor in spirit, those that mourn, who are meek, who thirst and hungry after righteousness. They show mercy, and have pure motives, Those who seek to be at peace with all men, and those that will stand for what is right in the face of losing their life. The attributes of a godly life goes beyond the abstaining of evil and sinful behavior, it is a lifestyle that is to be like Jesus.