Joe Barnett

The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do.                          —James 3:5 A piercing scream came from the rambunctious little girl’s bedroom. Dad rushed to the room and found his daughter in tears. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “I burnt my […]

You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.          —Matthew 5:13, 14 Having named eight character traits of discipleship, Jesus now illustrates how those who possess them exert a positive influence in the world. The Christian is to be vigilant in keeping “from being polluted by

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.                    —Matthew 5:10 It’s quite a jump from being a peacemaker to being a victim of persecution; from the endeavor to live peaceably to the experience of hostility. The operational words

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.                     —Matthew 5:9 A peacemaker is, first of all, one who refuses to be a disrupter of peace. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.    —Matthew 5:8 “Who may stand in [God’s] holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart” (Ps 24:3, 4). Jesus said, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.              —Matthew 5:7 Viewing someone with disapproval and thinking, “If I were you, I would [do such and such].” No! If I were you, I would feel and act exactly as you are feeling and acting. Being merciful is changing

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.    —Matthew 5:6 We pursue happiness, and it eludes us, for happiness is not found by striving for it directly but as a byproduct of seeking something else. Jesus said it comes from seeking righteousness. The blessedness of this beatitude doesn’t

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.            —Matthew 5:5  In some versions, “The meek” is translated “the humble” or “those of gentle spirit.” In a world of too much “It’s-all-about-me” aggressiveness, “Blessed are the meek” comes across as weak. However, it is the opposite of weakness. It

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.            —Matthew 5:4 The promised comfort of this beatitude doesn’t relate to mourning the loss of a loved one but to mourning the loss of innocence and self-respect because of sin. It is the second stage of spiritual blessing: from acknowledging

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.                   —Matthew 5:3 Tevye, in Fiddler on the Roof, said, “It’s no shame to be poor . . . but it’s no great honor either.” Financial poverty isn’t proof of poverty of spirit, nor