Two Parts of the Beatitudes People Often Miss

Many folks, including non-believers and especially secular humanists, love to quote Matthew 5:3 this way:

“Blessed are the poor.”

In this edited version, the verse is co-opted to justify and call for any number of financial and material donations and entitlements.

However, although the Bible is very clear about how to meet people’s material needs, this is not the verse.

Because this verse doesn’t even say what many have professed it to say. Here’s what the verse actually says:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Poor here is referring to poor in spirit.

The reason the second half of this verse is normally cut off is because most people are quoting other humans when using this verse, having never actually read it in context for themselves in Scripture, and often without the attendant enlightenment of the counsel of the Holy Spirit.

(ditto for Matthew 5:6, which doesn’t say “blessed are the hungry,” but “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”).

This turning of the Beatitudes into a sanctimonious or sentimental secular platitude results in an off-kilter attempt at “doing good” without the actual good of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to heal the problems that instigated, and now perpetuate, the poverty in the first place.

And as long as this warped interpretation continues, the world will be spinning its wheels, with all attempts at alleviating societal ills short-sighted and temporary, because they don’t answer the deep need of the spirit.

The second part of the Beatitudes that those who use it as their trump card seem to miss, is this:

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me” (Matthew 5:11).

Those who love to quote "blessed are the poor" but who, at the same time, despise, misunderstand, mock and misappropriate the belief and motives of Christians not only misapply Matthew 5:3, they miss Matthew 5:11 entirely. They don't even realize that they are the ones doing the insulting, persecuting and lying about Christians, and thus, Jesus Himself, when they accuse belief in Jesus as being hateful, judgmental, dogmatic and useless. 

Why do I point this out?

Because it is so easy for those on the outside of faith to call Christians hypocrites simply because we put as much weight on feeding everyone, not just those in poverty, the truth of Jesus Christ as we do a hot turkey dinner.

Christians understand that poverty is equally applied to the poverty of one’s soul (which affects everyone at one time or another) as it is to the poverty of one’s stomach.

Because we, as Christians, understand and love the whole person, made in the image of God, we obey God’s call to thus minister to the whole person: mind, body, soul and spirit.

That is the fulfillment of the Beatitudes.

And since Jesus, God incarnate, is the source of all blessing (Genesis and Ephesians to start, Revelation 4:11), and the Beatitudes begin with “Blessed are you” then Jesus, being the source of the Beatitudes, is also the fulfillment of them.

copyright Barb Harwood

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Arrival

Arrival

The warmth of a new sun.

The light of a new fire.

The tide coming in afresh, washing away every vestige of a marred past.

A retreating tide exposing purity, possibility and grace.

The beautiful unblemished unknown in place of the irreparable and already-spent.

The marvel of belief
in place of self-assurance and conjecture.

Fantastic joy in actual and attainable second-chances,

in the sought-after finality of full relinquishment

(following years of fits and starts);

of walking into the ever-present arms of absolute, true, Father and Family.

Of never turning back again—

only going forward,

in peace,

joy,

and the sealed protection and empowerment,

forgiveness and redemption,

strength and humility,

wisdom

and love

of Jesus.”

by Barb Harwood

copyright Barb Harwood

“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” Malachi 4:2a

Political Zealousnes

I was once at an outdoor barbecue attended by those affiliated with a particular corporation. One woman, a teacher in the public schools, in an attitude of great satisfaction, shared how, when she was in close proximity to a Wisconsin state politician, yelled out to him, “I hate you!”

Whether I agree politically with the person she hated or not, I was completely taken aback that this grown, mature adult (and mentor to youth) would yell those words to anyone, much less admit it to a group of people she didn’t even know.

The only thing I can call it is political zealousness.

There are people—those who would be the first to volunteer to sing Kumbaya amidst a circle of flickering “peace” candles—who think nothing of sanctimoniously using the word “hate,” along with libelous name-calling, when it comes to voicing their vituperation of someone with whom they are politically opposed.

I have heard others, regular visitors to places of worship, do the same.

The perpetrators of such vilification can be found on both sides of the political spectrum. Where it is less common, if to be found at all, is in the middle, where I like to hope most of us reside.

Basically, the indication that someone has devolved into political zealousness is this:

Not being able to refrain from instigating a political discussion at a funeral.

Not being able to refrain from instigating a political discussion at a wedding.

Not being able to refrain from instigating a political discussion at a Christmas brunch.

Not being able to refrain from instigating a political discussion at a baptism.

Not being able to refrain from instigating a political discussion at a birthday party.

Not being able refrain from instigating a political discussion, period.

I think we get the picture.

It doesn’t seem to matter what is being discussed. We could be in a delightful reminiscence of having watched the movie Ratatouille, and the politically zealous will party-poop all over the discussion by immediately bringing up their disdain for French President Emmanuel Macron. Or, being a supporter of Macron, they will vilify those who call him “unfair.”

Honestly, my preferred-but-unspoken response is,

“Really? And we were having such a lovely conversation about a mouse-chef in Paris.” 

Sigh.

This isn’t to say there is never a time to discuss politics.

This is to emphasize that mature discernment, along with even the most basic level of emotional intelligence, dictates tact and timing. This assumes knowing and respecting one’s audience.

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:3-7

But so many folks cannot step away from their political soapbox. Why?

Political zealousness is incredibly narcissistic. The underlying issues in this person’s life, and the lack of contentment and gratitude that resides there, guarantee that the politically addicted’s comments will take precedence over Aunty Jane’s death, cousin Robbie’s wedding and one-month-old Belinda’s baby dedication.

We in the middle have all, I’m sure, been at gatherings where we—knowing what’s coming across the room in the form of Chicken Little—quickly Exit Stage Left.

We do this because we know it isn’t the time or the place to discuss politics, and because we’ve heard all the dour dirges before from this person. 

The spinners of the broken record aren’t interested one iota in what you or I or anyone else thinks; they only want to dump their grievances, yet again, about the only thing, apparently, going on in their life: a proverbial falling sky due to “bad” people in office.

We walk away because we understand the comments are neither constructive nor having any impact whatsoever on worldly affairs or in helping the disenfranchised. Their words are merely a fly in the ointment of what are intended to be otherwise warm and connecting moments and minglings between fellow human beings.

If the political zealot were truly concerned about others, they’d put their money where their mouth is and think about others before they launch into their personal political tirade. Having done that, they would reconsider and realize that this event, day, gathering, or group of people is not about them and their political viewpoint, and is, in fact, greater and more important than politics.

They would find something else to talk about or not say anything at all.

Believe me when I say I know of what I speak. I, too, once self-promotionally inserted political signs into the lush, virgin green earth of my front yard.

I once listened to talk radio.

I once declared myself to be of a certain political party.

And yes, I once felt hatred towards proponents of ideologies that I distained. And when I felt that hatred morphing into hate, I got up one day, turned off talk radio and, in a very contrite, distressed and distraught spirit, slumped down before God for a major league time out.

I was completely convicted that I, who call myself a Christian, had allowed my mind to be seduced by political zeal.

Mortified and disgusted, I repented to God and asked Him to show me a new way.

And He did. And He has. And He continues to do so.

Since the last political sign was yanked out of my yard years ago, television news, one-sided publications, talk radio and any allegiance to a political party has disappeared as well.

And now I can confidently say I am in the middle, understanding fully what Jesus said when he answered,

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).

I vote, but I also personally invest the time to study the politicians who are running before I vote, never taking anyone’s word for anything (including news reports), but seeking out as many original sources as I can in order to get to the truth of a matter.

This takes work. It doesn’t rely on Facebook or sound bites. It means checking my predispositions and presuppositions at the door. It means testing everything and everyone against Scripture to make as holy of a decision as I can. And it remembers that those who run for, and serve in office are fallible human beings made in the image of God, just like me.

And then I look to my own life as it impacts, or is able to impact, the world. And I understand where I have no impact, and stop the handwringing. 

I live as Christ would have me to, realizing I am never going to save the world, or single-handedly change the political condition. 

But I can single-handedly seek and try to live God’s will right where I am, surrounded with the people God has placed in my life, be they close by or residing in a distant land.

“He has told you, O man, what is good;

And what does the LORD require of you

But to do justice, to love kindness,

And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

Notice that the verse says to “do” justice (and if we are doing, then why the incessant dripping of rain and finger pointing?)

“Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel even more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

It also says to love kindness:

“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For, ‘THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.’” 1 Peter 3:8-11

And finally, it says to walk humbly with God.

Political zealousness, which ultimately reveals the condition of the heart, misses the mark on all counts.

Copyright Barb Harwood

“Watch over your heart with all diligence,

For from it flow the springs of life.

Put away from you a deceitful mouth

And put devious speech far from you.

Let your eyes look directly ahead

And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.

Watch the path of your feet

And all your ways will be established.

Do not turn to the right nor to the left;

Turn your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:23-27

Moving on From the Past, With or Without the Reconciliation of Others

For most folks, the past is like a chewed piece of gum that we step on on a 90-degree day. That gum oozes between and fills the treads of our shoe, and the more we attempt to rid ourselves of it with a stick, the more it spreads, even to our hands and clothes. In short, it becomes a hot mess.

As Christians, one of the ways we allow the past to stick to the present is when we assume that, since we have forgiven ourselves for who we once were and things we once said and did, and God has forgiven us, the people from our past with whom we still interact will too. 

And when they don't, up goes the guard rail, blocking us from the reconciliation with others that begins with our accepting them where they currently are. 

And where they currently are is this: they don't accept who we are today and, for whatever reason, cannot go to the place of reconciliation with us. 

That is what we need to be okay with in order to move on from the past. 

That’s where I find myself at this stage of the Christian walk: recognizing that other people may not see the change in me, or want to see the change, or don’t believe the change, or hate the change in me. And thus, they have not forgiven me for whatever it is I was to them in the past or they cannot forgive me for who I have become today.

I see now that my response to their reticence has been to revisit aspects of the past: asking myself what I could have done differently, ruminating on where they were at fault, and on and on. 

In great determination I would conjure up new ways to love them: invites to coffee, letters and expressions of love and affirmation.

And while those efforts were sincere and good, when the relationship didn’t improve, I felt that I couldn’t stop picking at old wounds until mutual reconciliation had occurred. 

It was one step forward in loving others, but two steps back when I didn’t receive love in return. The past would come flooding over me once again.

But now I see that my fleshly insistence on receiving affirmation only stagnated me in my desire to progress in living out the love of Christ. I see now that I must progress, I can progress and move on from the past once and for all—either with, or without, reciprocity on my attempts at brokering peace and making amends with others.

I am reconciled with God and thus, with myself. Reconciliation yet may come with others, but I no longer need or expect it.

As I move forward into each new day, and live more and more in the humility of Christ’s love for myself and others, I am seeing that sometimes—often times—for others it is too little too late. And I need to embrace that, especially for those who don’t understand the giving or receiving of forgiveness from Christ’s perspective. 

We can’t expect others to cope in ways that we only learned, and were made well by, in Christ. In complete understanding, I hold them in compassion, not contempt.

And in that, reconciliation to other people on my end has occurred. Finally, I can let the past, in all its entirety, go. 

Lewis Carroll once said,

“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”

We can’t expect other people to get that, and ought not be disappointed when they don’t. But we can rejoice and take confidence in the full assurance that Christ certainly does get it. In fact, He’s the one who made our being a different person today, possible.

Copyright Barb Harwood

“Do not fret because of those who are evil

or be envious of those who do wrong;

for like the grass they will soon wither,

like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the LORD and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Take delight in the LORD,

and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,

your vindication like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:1-6

“Do not call to mind the former things,

Or ponder things of the past.

‘Behold, I will do something new,

Now it will spring forth;

Will you not be aware of it?’” Isaiah 43:18-19a

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.” Philippians 3:12-16

 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9