This is the time of the year the body of Christ rejoices over what our King, the Lord Jesus, did for us over 2000 years ago by dying on the cross for our sins and rising again on the third day which gives us hope. As we die to self, we are resurrected with Christ, which is our hope in glory. With our sins paid for, our lives and relationship have been restored with Father God. Now, with the help of the Holy Spirit, as we choose to follow and submit to His will, we can truly see the attitude of our hearts.

In the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10), Jesus taught how our heart attitude should be as a follower of Him, and as a citizen of His kingdom. His teaching was a bit different to that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. They taught mostly about the outward rules and regulations of the law which they believed you needed to follow to have any hope of being right with God. However, the law only leads to death, and without Christ who can be saved? It would take lots of time and many pieces of paper to explain the depth of what Jesus was teaching, but I will attempt to summarise it. He taught it is all about the attitude of our heart, not works.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"; without Jesus we are wretched and lost, broken and contrite, needing the help of a saviour. Our hearts are very wicked, but as we mourn our sinful hearts Jesus says, "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." Salvation takes place, our relationship with God is restored and we are raised with Christ. The Father lavishes His love on us.

"Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." Because of rebellion and sin man lost authority and dominion of the earth to satan. However, as we choose to submit to God in humility, God empowers us to rule again. Meekness is power under control, one who trusts God and accepts today's circumstances as God's best for them, knowing even when situations in their lives are painful, frightening and frustrating, God is in control (read Job).

"Blessed are those who h u n g e r and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be f i l l e d . " R i g h t - eousness means to want to do things the kingdom way, not ours; coming under right authority, aligning our lives to our King, Lord Jesus: If we hunger and thirst for this, God will fill us with His Spirit.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Those who are forgiven much, forgive much. After seeing our own hearts, how can we judge someone else? As you judge, so will God judge you!

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." We should allow God to clean o u r h e a r t s a n d m i n d s d a i l y because we still live in a f a l l e n w o r l d , w a i t i n g for our King to return.

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God." Peacekeepers keep the peace even if they have to compromise kingdom principles. Peacemakers do not compromise, but speak the truth with love and respect; for we are ambassadors for the King and we have no opinions, only those of the King.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." By staying under right authority and standing for the kingdom, we will be misunderstood and persecuted.

In Matthew 5:11,12, Jesus said, "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Jesus was also persecuted even unto death, death on a cross.

So let us keep our hearts right, not just our outward appearance for "The kingdom of God does not come with observations; nor will they say 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:20,21