The beatitudes are not mild, pious platitudes without strength or deep meaning; they form a challenge hurled into the teeth of normal world standards. The first three Beatitudes are the "great reversals" of Jesus; heaven's standards are seen to be the direct opposite of earth's. God's evaluation of people is shown to be far different from humans' assessment. The continuing profile of the member of God's kingdom reveals character fashioned by God's measurements, not by people's standards.
I am convinced that believers need to revisit the Beatitudes from time-to-time to maintain the creative tension they present for Christian living in our progressively secular and permissive society. In a time marked by sharp moral and ethical indifference and decline, kingdom citizens are to represent their King well and unashamedly. I have not fully achieved that goal, but with God's help, I will remain on the way.
