The following are links to the details pages for each ‘pairing’ of the “Fruit Of The Beatitudes.”
– Pure In Heart > > > Love
– Poor In Spirit > > > Joy
– Mourning > > > Peace
– Persecuted > > > Patience
– Merciful > > > Kindness
– Righteousness > > > Goodness
– Peacemaker > > > Faithfulness
– Meekness > > > Gentleness
– Insulted > > > Self-Control
Summaries:
– True Vine
– His Likeness
– Reap A Destiny
“FRUITS OF THE BEATITUDES”
(The ATTITUDES of Jesus that produce the CHARACTER of Jesus)
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POOR IN SPIRIT > > > LOVE
POOR IN SPIRIT:
– Be humble
– Be devoid of pride
– Be aware of my inadequacies
LOVE:
– Does not ‘harm’ anyone
– Love your ‘neighbor’ as yourself
– Highest ‘goal’ to have for your life
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MOURNING > > > JOY
MOURNING:
– Grieve over my sins
– Pain may be about my ‘issues’
– Crying releases emotional burdens
JOY:
– See God ‘work’ in struggles and hardships
– From God; Not favorable circumstances
– Assured possession of a future good
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MEEKNESS > > > PEACE
MEEKNESS:
– Give preference to others; Quick to listen
– Be gracious; Free of malice; Defuse conflict
– Righteous anger; Tender without surrender
PEACE:
– Be content with what you have
– Desire unity; God will take revenge
– Don’t be anxious, fearful; God will provide
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RIGHTEOUSNESS > > > PATIENCE
RIGHTEOUSNESS:
– Being ‘right’ with God
– Having a ‘hunger’ to know God
– Desire to please God
PATIENCE:
– Don’t act hastily; Have controlled restraint
– May not understand; Shown at proper time
– God was patient with you; Do so to others
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MERCIFUL > > > KINDNESS
MERCIFUL:
– Be genuinely compassionate to others
– Don’t think of yourself to be superior
– Do good to those in need; Stoop to help
KINDNESS:
– Be generous, pleasant, and friendly
– Soften the ‘harshness’ around you
– Do good to your ‘enemies’; Forgive
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PURE IN HEART > > > GOODNESS
PURE IN HEART:
– Free of selfish intentions; Double-minded
– Have integrity; Keep your promises
– Be ‘real’; Don’t pretend; Don’t gossip
GOODNESS:
– Develop a pure and virtuous character
– Alleviate suffering and mitigate wrongs
– Give sacrificially (time; talent; treasure)
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PEACEMAKER > > > FAITHFULNESS
PEACEMAKER:
– Resolve conflicts; Reconcile adversaries
– Listen to the ‘hurt’ behind the words
– Get people ‘right’ with God; Be an Ambassador
FAITHFULNESS:
– Be conscientious, loyal, and dependable
– Have a strong sense of ‘duty’
– Imitate Jesus’ faithfulness (the Cross)
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PERSECUTED > > > GENTLENESS
PERSECUTED:
– Godliness generates antagonism, ‘reaction’
– Be bold for Jesus; Don’t be ashamed
– Don’t compromise Biblical principles
GENTLENESS:
– Not ‘weak’; Strength under control
– Don’t be divisive; Accept correction
– Show grace; Non-threatening demeanor
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INSULTED > > > SELF-CONTROL
INSULTED:
– Don’t be shocked; It develops our character
– Refuse to retaliate; Don’t avenge yourself
– Focus on ‘Heaven’ and eternal blessings
SELF-CONTROL:
– Master your feelings and ‘appetites’
– Stop trying to ‘control’ things; Restraint
– Relinquish your will to the Holy Spirit
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SUMMARY:
– The key to the fruitful life is to remain in the “true vine” ( John 15:5). Stay ‘connected’ to Jesus (being diligent in studying your Bible) and be ‘aware’ of the Spirit working in your life. Those who abide will “produce much fruit”—a life that will ‘glorify’ God, and one that He will be ‘happy’ with and bless you for.
– God’s goal for the Christian is to conform us into the ‘likeness’ of Jesus—in our character, conversations, and conduct—such that when we meet someone they sense that they have ‘experienced’ the love of Jesus!
– “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” [2 Corinthians 9:6]. It’s been said that if you “Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an action and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” That would be eternity in Heaven with God!
