Section 2
our Christian behavior. If we see this, we shall see the difference between the constitution of the kingdom of the heavens in Matthew 5 through 7 and the principles of Christian behavior in Luke 6.
FOUR CHARACTERISTICS
OF BLESSED PEOPLE
The first principle in these verses is that we who believe in Christ and who have been born of God should be a people blessed by God. We should be a blessed people, not a cursed people. As a result of the fall, mankind came under the curse. But in the jubilee of grace the Lord Jesus has rescued us from the curse and has brought us into God's blessing. Hence, we should be a people blessed by God. In 6:20-23 there are four characteristics of blessed people.
POOR
In verse 20 the Lord Jesus says, "Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." In this verse "poor" has two denotations. First, it denotes poor in material things; second, it denotes poor in spiritual things. Therefore, the word poor here indicates poor in earthly, material things and also poor in heavenly, spiritual things.