Characteristics of a Christian

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

He who spoke in times past by the prophets now opened His mouth. These first words of the Great Teacher, who is God, come from God, reveals the good life—not through doings, but being. The good life is found not in what we have, but in what we are.

The Christian’s Character.

1. THEY ARE POOR IN SPIRIT (v. 3)

Not spiritually poor, because that through the poverty of Christ be is made rich.

Isaiah 66:2 ESV

2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

2. THEY MOURN (v. 4)

Not for fear of missing the kingdom, but over everything that hinders their greater growth into the image of Christ; over their sins and the sins of others; over the enemies of the Cross.

3. THEY ARE MEEK (v. 5)

They would not be like their Master if they are not meek and lowly.

In our present-day world, the meek generally don’t inherit wealth, prestige, money, or power. Assertive and aggressive people usually achieve these things. But, based upon God’s message to His servants, we know that the meek as a group will eventually inherit the earth.

The meek were also to walk humbly before their God, a prerequisite to finding favor in His eyes Micah 6:8.

Micah 6:8 ESV

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

4. THEY HUNGER AND THIRST (v 6)

They do not hunger and thirst after the pleasures of sin and worldliness, but after righteousness—righteousness unto God.

Righteousness is the cravings, the new hunger pains of the new man, the one born of God. 2 Timothy 2:22

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

5. THEY ARE MERCIFUL (v. 7)

They delight to show mercy because they themselves had great mercy shown to them. Christ prayed for His enemies, so do they. Matthew 18:33

Matthew 18:33 ESV

33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’

6. THEY ARE PURE IN HEART (v. 8)

Their hearts are right with God. Wholly yielded up to His holy will.

Delighting in all that is pleasing to Him. Cleansed by the blood, and open to the light.

7. THEY MAKE PEACE (v. 9)

They love peace because they have the peace of God ruling in their hearts. They seek to make peace by calling all to be reconciled to God.

8. THEY SUFFER PERSECUTION (v. 10, 11)

If any man will live godly he must suffer persecution. “They persecuted Me; they will persecute you.”

Notice that these characteristics present us with a true portrait of the life of Jesus Christ.

Are we like Him?

So what makes these characteristics the good life, a blessed life.

THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (v. 3)

Luke 12:32 ESV

32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED (v. 4)

This is the hour and power of darkness. Being poor in spirit the kingdom is sure, and all the comforts of the kingdom will yet be given.

Revelation 21:4 ESV

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

THEY SHALL INHERIT (v. 5)

The saints have not much of the earth just now, but when He comes they shall inherit it (Rev. 20:6). There is a good time coming (Dan. 7:22).

Daniel 7:22 ESV

22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.

THEY SHALL BE FILLED (v. 6)

“They shall hunger no more.” We shall be satisfied when we awake in His likeness. Filled with all the fulness of God. Present hunger is the evidence of future filling. There is satisfaction for every holy longing.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY (v. 7)

The mercy of God, which covered their sin, can cover every fault and failing. Blameless.

THEY SHALL SEE GOD (v. 8)

Because their heart is pure they are holy ones (Heb. 12:14). Holy eyes see holy things; a holy heart shall see a holy God.

Hebrews 12:14 ESV

14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

“without holiness no one will see the Lord”

THEY SHALL BE CALLED A CHILD OF GOD (v. 9)

1 John 3:1 ESV

1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

THEY SHALL BE REWARDED (v 12)

“Great is your reward in Heaven.” Reviled on earth; rewarded in Heaven with an eternal weight of glory 2 Cor. 4:16-17

2 Corinthians 4:16–17 ESV

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,