NIV 365 / How Can Anyone Live Up to These High Standards?

The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading Plan

Day 247 of 365 How Can Anyone Live Up to These High Standards? Even though the Sermon on the Mount has been called the constitution for citizens of God's kingdom, we won't see flawed human beings reach this level of perfection in this life. Jesus began the Beatitudes with our inability in mind: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (v. 3). Those acknowledging their spiritual poverty are in the best position to experience God's blessing and enjoy his kingdom. Our salvation and hope for heaven are rooted firmly in the grace of God (Eph 2:8). Nevertheless, God's grace will produce positive, tangible changes in our lives. Even when our attempts result in failure, we're to keep trying and trusting. The Beatitudes are an ethical model that requires a declaration of dependence on God. The Beatitudes describe the life of blessing God intended for humanity from the beginning. The closer we come to Jesus' standards, the more we experience the blessing of God. Taken from NIV Quest Study Bible Matthew 5:3-12 Matthew 5:3-12 KJV 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.