Fourth Beatitude - Blessed are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

Matthew 5:6

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."

If we try to have a close, personal relationship with God through our own personal merit and works, we will never succeed because as fallen sinners we have no righteousness in ourselves and are at enmity with God spiritually.  Before salvation, God says that we are the children of the evil one and do not have the truth in us; therefore, we cannot rely on our own "good" works, for they are seen as filthy rags in God's sight.  If, however, we place our faith in Christ's righteousness and blood sacrifice on the cross alone for our salvation and then seek after spiritual growth as a new believer by following God's commands in the Bible, then He promises to grant us peace and joy as we grow closer to Him.

James 4:8 states, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."  As newly

Third Beatitude - Blessed are the Meek

Matthew 5:5

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

Meek: Meekness is the opposite of out of control.  It does not imply weakness or laziness but great restraint and control over one's thoughts, desires, and actions by the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is demonstrated by having restraint over words said, control over emotions when aroused, the ability to forgive when wronged, reigning in one's thoughts when temptation comes knocking, etc.  It is the hidden strength of the spirit that monitors our first reactions of what we feel like doing, thinking, or saying when a situation arises and then changes our desires to what would be pleasing to God and in obedience to His commandments.

Inherit the earth:  At times, it may seem that everything that is evil prospers and everything that is good fails.  While God is always working His sovereign