Living in the Image of God Module 01 Session 03
The Beatitudes describe the responsibility of every person to represent God in interactions with others and resources to empower a person to perform the responsibility. The first three Beatitudes explain how to access the resources: commit to God’s purpose of representing him in human interactions; recognize and accept total dependence on him; seek him in recognition of total dependence; and humble yourself before him that he may provide, guide, and direct your human capabilities to accomplish tasks that he assigns to you. The Holy Spirit will lead you to receive and follow God’s guidance and direction every time in every situation.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ explains every person’s responsibility to represent God in interactions with others. The first part of the sermon, referred to as the Beatitudes, describes the responsibility, God’s promise of blessing for those that perform the responsibility, and resources that he provides to empower every person to perform the responsibility. The first three Beatitudes describe how to access the resources (more detail under Following God Schedule by Living in His Image 2of2). The last six (i.e., Beatitudes 3–8) describe the responsibility in terms of God’s purpose for human interactions and relationships. This bible study focusses on accessing the resources.
Accessing the Resources
The first part of the Beatitudes [Matthew 5:3–5] provides the message that God has empowered every person to perform their responsibilities of representing him in human interactions but a person needs to connect with God to reach the power source. Christ provides the message in the first three Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, and blessed are the meek. The message of the three Beatitudes is that the Holy Spirit will lead us to connect with God and receive and follow God’s guidance and direction to fulfill his purpose. To receive this empowerment, a person has to commit to God’s purpose, accept total dependence on God for accomplishing tasks for his purpose, and seek God in recognition of total dependence—in humility toward God.
Recognize and Accept Total Dependence on God
The message of Beatitude 1 is that a person should recognize and accept total dependence on God for fulfilling God’s purpose: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” [Matthew 5:3]. Poor in spirit means those that have nothing and know they have nothing. The Beatitude uses the imagery of “poor in spirit” to convey God’s promise of blessing for those that accept total dependence on him to recognize and accomplish a task that he has assigned to them. Total dependence on God motivates commitment to seeking, receiving, and following God’s guidance and direction every time and in every situation. Total dependence follows from personal commitment to God’s purpose and accepting that the purpose can be accomplished “only with God.”
Comfort for All Who Mourn
Beatitude 2 promises that a person that seeks God because of total dependence on him will receive the Comforter, i.e., the Holy Spirit: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” [Matthew 5:4]. Receiving the Comforter is important because the Holy Spirit establishes connection with God and leads us to receive and follow God’s guidance and direction.
Humility Toward God
Beatitude 3 provides a message of humility toward God (in relation to accessing the resources for Living in the Image of God) and humility toward other people (in relation to human responsibility in Living in the Image of God). Our discussion of Beatitude 3 in this study focuses on humility toward God. Humility is important to recognize that God provides, guides, and directs a person’s human capabilities to accomplish tasks that he assigns to the person. Submit yourself to God in humility as you seek God’s guidance and direction: “Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up” [1 Peter 5:6]. Recognize your task is his task and he will guide you, step by step, to accomplish the task. David recognized and relied on this aspect of human relationship with God as he approached Goliath: “…for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give all of you into our hands” [1 Samuel 17:47].
Summary of What We Learned
In the Beatitudes, Christ explains the responsibility of every person to represent God in interactions with others and resources to empower the person to perform the responsibility.
The first three Beatitudes explain how to access the resources: commit to God’s purpose of representing him in human interactions; recognize and accept total dependence on him; seek him in recognition of total dependence; and humble yourself before him that he may provide, guide, and direct your human capabilities to accomplish tasks that he assigns to you.
The Holy Spirit will lead you to receive and follow God’s guidance and direction every time in every situation: if you commit to God’s purpose, recognize and accept total dependence on him, seek him in recognition of total dependence, and humble yourself before him.
Study Guide
Study guide available: Link to Study Guide