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CHAPTER 2J – “Ye are the light of the world.”
“Ye are the light of the world.”—Matthew 5:14. As Jesus taught the people, He made His lessons interesting and held the attention of His hearers by frequent illustrations from the scenes of nature about them. The people had come together while it was yet morning. The glorious sun, climbing higher and higher in the blue…
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CHAPTER 2I – “Ye are the salt of the earth.”
“Ye are the salt of the earth.”—Matthew 5:13. Salt is valued for its preservative properties; and when God calls His children salt, He would teach them that His purpose in making them the subjects of His grace is that they may become agents in saving others. The object of God in choosing a people before…
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CHAPTER 2H – “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you.”
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you.”—Matthew 5:11. Ever since his fall, Satan has worked by means of deception. As he has misrepresented God, so, through his agents, he misrepresents the children of God. The Saviour says, “The reproaches of them that reproached Thee are fallen upon Me.” Psalm 69:9. In like manner they fall upon…
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CHAPTER 2G – “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake”
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”—Matthew 5:10. Jesus does not present to His followers the hope of attaining earthly glory and riches, and of having a life free from trial, but He presents to them the privilege of walking with their Master in the paths…
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CHAPTER 2E – “Blessed are the pure in heart”
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”—Matthew 5:8. The Jews were so exacting in regard to ceremonial purity that their regulations were extremely burdensome. Their minds were occupied with rules and restrictions and the fear of outward defilement, and they did not perceive the stain that selfishness and malice impart to…
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CHAPTER 2D – “Blessed are the merciful”
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”—Matthew 5:7. The heart of man is by nature cold and dark and unloving; whenever one manifests a spirit of mercy and forgiveness, he does it not of himself, but through the influence of the divine Spirit moving upon his heart. “We love, because He first loved us.” 1…
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CHAPTER 2C – “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness”
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”—Matthew 5:6. Righteousness is holiness, likeness to God, and “God is love.” 1 John 4:16. It is conformity to the law of God, for “all Thy commandments are righteousness” (Psalm 119:172), and “love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10). Righteousness…
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CHAPTER 2B – “Blessed are the meek.”
“Blessed are the meek.”—Matthew 5:5. Throughout the Beatitudes there is an advancing line of Christian experience. Those who have felt their need of Christ, those who have mourned because of sin and have sat with Christ in the school of affliction, will learn meekness from the divine Teacher. MB 13.2 Patience and gentleness under wrong were not…
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CHAPTER 2A – “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”—Matthew 5:4. The mourning here brought to view is true heart sorrow for sin. Jesus says, “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.” John 12:32. And as one is drawn to behold Jesus uplifted on the cross, he discerns…
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Chapter 2—The Beatitudes
“He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”—Matthew 5:2, 3. As something strange and new, these words fall upon the ears of the wondering multitude. Such teaching is contrary to all they have ever heard from priest or rabbi. They see in…









