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MATTHEW 5:2-11
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Desire happiness?
The beatitudes of Christ build on one another. Humility is followed by a realization of sin, therefore mourning, for our sins, for the sins of others, for Christ’s suffering. Gentleness, (meekness), follows as we see others in the same condition as ourselves, not better, not worse. When we see souls like this, we will hunger for righteousness because righteousness is the solution to the condition of all mankind. We will be merciful to our fellow man, our motivations will be pure, we will seek peace, and we will be persecuted for it. Desire happiness? Start with humility and go from there. God rewards those who seek. Pursue happiness through righteousness. Learn what Jesus meant. There will be persecution, but we will rejoice when it comes.