The Process of Character Perfection (Part 3b)
Again we take up the beatitudes to see how Jesus proceeded before us to acquire the character traits for Himself as the Author and Finisher of faith.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” KJV, Matthew 5:6-8, emphasis added.
The story of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well gives us insight of how Christ’s thirsted and hungered after righteousness. When His disciples returned from the village with food, Jesus gave them an amazing response to their encouragement to eat the food they bought. “In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” KJV, John 4:31-34, emphasis added.
Jesus was made like unto us so that He might obtain mercy for us as our High Priest. “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted…. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” KJV, Hebrews 2:17, 18; 8:12 emphasis added. He taught us that we are not to return reviling or evil upon those who despitefully use us.
Purity of heart comes from obtaining the perfection of motives refined by meditation on the perfect law of God. Godliness is therefore the source of purity. Christ came to this earth in the fulness of the Godhead bodily with this purity intact. Because He came from the bosom of the Father, He alone could reveal such a purity of character that we must attain. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” KJV, John 14:6-10, emphasis added.
(To be continued.)
