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Sermon on the Mount
179
A Calm Spirit Glorifies God
“Blessed are the meek.” The difficulties we encounter may be
much lessened by that meekness which hides itself in Christ. If
we possess the humility of our Master, we shall rise above slights,
rebuffs, and annoyances. They will cease to cast a gloom over the
spirit. He who under abuse fails to maintain a calm spirit robs God of
His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character. Lowliness
of heart is the strength that gives victory to the followers of Christ.
Those who reveal the meek and lowly spirit of Christ may be
looked on with scorn by the world, but they are of great value in
God’s sight. The poor in spirit, the humble in heart, whose highest
ambition is to do God’s will—these will be among that number who
have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the
Lamb.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness;
for they shall be filled.” The sense of unworthiness will lead the
heart to hunger for righteousness. All who long to bear the likeness
of the character of God shall be satisfied. Love will expand the soul,
giving it a capacity for higher attainments, for increased knowledge
of heavenly things, so that it will not rest short of the fullness.
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The merciful shall find mercy, and the pure in heart shall see
God. Every impure thought impairs the moral sense and tends to
obliterate the impressions of the Holy Spirit. The Lord may and
does forgive the repenting sinner; but though forgiven, the soul is
marred. All impurity of speech or thought must be shunned by him
who would have clear discernment of spiritual truth.
But the words of Christ cover more than freedom from sensual
impurity, more than freedom from that ceremonial defilement which
the Jews so rigorously shunned. Selfishness prevents us from be-
holding God. Until we have renounced self-seeking, we cannot
understand Him who is love. Only the unselfish heart, the humble
and trustful spirit, shall see God as “merciful and gracious, longsuf-
fering, and abundant in goodness and truth.”
Exodus 34:6
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“Blessed are the peacemakers.” The world is at enmity with the
law of God; sinners are at enmity with their Maker. As a result they
are at enmity with one another. Human plans will fail of producing
peace, because they do not reach the heart. The only power that