Beautiful Progressions of Repentance, 3 of 3

Beautiful Progressions of Repentance, 3 of 3 
The Progression of Abiding in Contentment – Matthew 5
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Repentance is beautiful. It is the key to a life of increase and joy in the Holy Spirit. We surely need His joy more than ever! In 2019, the Lord unfolded three writings to me on repentance:

• The Progression from Brokenness to Wholeness – Psalm 51
  • Encouragement after gross sin.
    
    
• The Progression of Abiding in Humility – Psalm 139:23-24, 139:2b-3; 1 John 1:9; Philippians 3:15
  • A refreshing guide to daily repentance (the root of revival)
    
    
• The Progression of Abiding in Contentment – Matthew 5
  • A surprising guide to true contentment

This month in 2023, I revised the third progression to add clarity. It was a very great encouragement to me, and I look forward to sharing it with you here. (Please note: the definition of sin is all that is not in alignment with the Father’s kingdom of love.)

The Progression of Abiding in Contentment

In the original manuscripts of Matthew 5, the Greek word blessed means truly content (or fully satisfied). So, we can replace the word blessed with truly content. This true contentment only comes through the indwelling Holy Spirit and is shared in His community of believers. To help us see this progression of contentment, I have typed Matthew 5:1-12 below with the verse numbers. The crimson phrases summarize each verse and will guide us through the progression.

The verses in Matthew are noted in blue with key words in underlined bold blue letters. Following the bold blue words are the meanings of those words. As you read line by line, you will discover the increase in growth and momentum for the believer who walks in the Holy Spirit. These unfolding characteristics are fruit of the Spirit. In other words, as you walk in love with Him, you will exhibit this fruit. Let’s begin to walk through each verse!

1. When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
   
   
2. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

You are blessed or truly content when:

You are aware of sin.             

• Blessed are the poor in spirit – Truly content are those who know that, without God, they are poor; Truly content are those who know they are unable to walk in His ways of love without the Holy Spirit.
  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Your awareness of sin leads to grief over sin.           

• Blessed are those who mourn – Truly content are those who grieve over their sin, the sin of others, and all that is not in alignment with the Father’s kingdom of love.
  for they shall be comforted.

Your grief over sin leads you to action against sin.

• Blessed are the gentle – Truly content are those who combat sin with gentleness, humility and forbearance. (The Greek word for gentle refers to action as opposed to passivity or indifference.)
  for they shall inherit the earth.
  Examples of action against sin:
  • “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.” (Psalm 139:23-24)
  • “If a brother or sister is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual [mature], restore them in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)
  • “Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.” (Psalm 82:3)

Your action against sin leads to an increased sensitivity and hunger to be right with Him.

• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness – Truly content are those who increase in their desire for His ways and in sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
  for they shall be satisfied.

Your hunger for righteousness leads to mercy.

• Blessed are the merciful – In our increased hunger and sensitivity, we can more easily offer mercy and kindness when we or others struggle with sin.
  for they shall receive mercy.

Your mercy leads to purity and sight.

• Blessed are the pure in heart – Truly content are those who recognize their poverty without Him, who grieve over sin, who unite with God to combat it, and who increase in hunger and show mercy for they are purified. In our purity we see Him more clearly!
  for they shall see God.

Your purity leads to peace and justice.

• Blessed are the peacemakers – Truly content are those who make peace. The word peacemakers means peace-bringers, not peacekeepers. Peace bringers confront conflict. Our purity motivates us to act toward injustice. Justice is the establishment of God’s ways of love.
  for they shall be called sons of God.

Your action toward justice leads to persecution and insults against you.

• Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness
  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Your endurance through persecution leads to great reward, deep contentment, and joy!

• Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 
• Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Hallelujah! We have been called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world! (See Matthew 5:13-14)

(The artwork was created in 1994 in a workshop taught by Jonathan Blocher of Manuscriptures, Inc.)

Shale Fragments™ - devotionals by Beth Ann Phifer is a division of Flower Girl Greetings, LLC. ©2020, All Rights Reserved.
Blessings and love in Him,
Beth Ann