The blessing that people in this world want is to seize material civilization which belongs to culture and to enjoy it to the fullest. But the Lord said “Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”
Today, some Christians say that we are blessed when we have lots of money and when we are the rulers of material civilization. They are fooled about the blessing while setting culture as standard. Jesus is the source of blessing and created all things in the world and can control everything. Nevertheless, Jesus never said that having all things in the universe is a blessing. He said that He will bless those who are poor in spirit and those who mourn for their souls who are destined to destruction for their sins.
Blessed are those who acknowledge what the Lord is going to give as a blessing. Those who don’t acknowledge the blessing which Jesus will give doesn’t long for the blessing. It is because you can’t see with your eyes and it is uneconomical so the flesh is unable to enjoy it. The people in the world don’t take it as the blessing because the blessing is not helpful to their bodies while living in the culture of the world
If people of the world know we have the everlasting kingdom of God in us, every person would try to take it from us. However, this blessing will not be taken away like that. Your blessing will never be taken away if you don’t give up. Besides, you can always enjoy the blessing while having your spirit on earth and in heaven. Those who enjoy and have joy are really blessed.
Those who are blessed have a sense that they can feel that they hunger for righteousness. Unfortunately, there are many Christians who can’t feel it. When Jesus fasted for forty days, He didn’t use His power to turn the rocks into bread although He was suffering from hunger. Jesus didn’t use his power to fill his stomach and to gratify the physical desire but He used His power only for the work of God even though he was in agony.
Pastor Seok-Jeon Yoon
Extracted from Yonsei Newspaper #647
