Attitudes and Beatitudes

What a time we live in.

Just when things can’t seem to be more out of control, something else arises.

My thoughts turn to the words of Christ and the Sermon on the Mount.

Especially to His words from the Beatitudes.

It’s as if we’ve collectively forgotten them.

A quick Internet search indicates just how much confusion there is.

Some say there are eight Beatitudes while others claim there are nine or ten.

I will not go into all the Beatitudes but will focus on a few important for today.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Many are mourning right now.

Some mourn for the loss of loved ones to the pandemic.

Others mourn for victims of injustice.

But we can take comfort in the fact that Christ died for us - all of us - and set us free from sin.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Although we have all witnessed acts of violence, we should show mercy.

After all, hasn’t God been merciful to us?

Then, there is the Beatitude I find most helpful right now.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. 

In these days of contention and strife we desperately need peacemakers.

Those who strive to make peace between men, between communities and between nations.

In times like these, every Christian is called upon to be a peacemaker.

That is because God is a God of Peace.

Even the Son He sent to us is called the Prince of Peace.

It is by that act that we are children of God, children of peace.

Yes, these are troubling times.

There is no point in denying that.

Yes, we all fall short… all of us.

There is no point in denying that either.

Yet the words of Christ do far more than remind us of our imperfection.

His words remind us how we are meant to live.

So, what should “Be our Attitude” towards God?

What should “Be our Attitude” towards our fellow man?

Let us comfort those who mourn, show mercy to one another and strive to make peace with all.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 26, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, July 3, 2020

I Can't Breathe

“I can’t breathe.”

These could have been the final words of a COVID-19 patient on a ventilator.

Sadly, they were the last words of George Floyd while being restrained by four police officers.

Now the nation, indeed the world, is outraged by the injustice.

As Christians, we too must take a stand against injustice.

There are so many references to justice in scripture that I cannot list them all here.

That’s indicative of just how important justice is to God.

It should be equally important to us.

Many people think that God, whom we see in the Old Testament, is vindictive.

Yet the following verse shows us that God cares deeply about justice.

Isaiah 1:17 (NET) - Learn to do what is right. Promote justice. Give the oppressed reason to celebrate. Take up the cause of the orphan. Defend the rights of the widow.

Meaningful change is possible.

But we must be willing to allow God to change us from within.

Ezekiel 36:26 (NET) - I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh.

But what of those who are victims of injustice?

The same God continues to love them deeply.

Psalm 34:18 (NET) - The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he delivers those who are discouraged.

God is clear about justice; He is equally clear on vengeance.

Romans 12:19 (NET) - Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

The days to come will reveal how we choose to respond to injustice.

We must remember that Christ commands us to love our neighbor.

I hope we take His command completely to heart.

We had better, because God sees all and will hold us accountable.

Hebrews 4:13 (NET) - And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

I pray we all can make a fresh start.

Perhaps our very youngest can teach us all a valuable lesson.

After all, no one is born knowing how to hate.

If we take these lessons to heart, we can all move forward.

Even what now seems distant can happen!

Amos 5:24 (NET) - Justice must flow like torrents of water, righteous actions like a stream that never dries up.

We must be willing to talk.

More importantly, we must be willing to listen.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 12, 2020.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 19, 2020