Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it

[hies]

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” - Luke 11:28

Not that you will be blessed by obeying the word of God, but because you are obeying the word of God, it shows you have been blessed by Him.

If you could be blessed by obeying the word of God, it would mean you are blessing yourself.

Matthew 5:3-12 says:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

When God gives us trials and tribulations, they are a blessing from Him. They are intended to make us grow and learn how to love each other, and love and depend on Him more deeply as a result of our sufferings. The blessings are not a result of what we do.

More specifically:
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." - Matthew 5:8

We can't make our own hearts pure. God must make our hearts pure. So the blessing is that our hearts have been made pure. The blessing is that we are persecuted. The blessing is that we hunger and thirst for righteousness. Not that we will earn blessings by having those things.

 

[marks]

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” - Luke 11:28

This "blessed" is from the word "makarioi", "happy", rather than to receive a benefit, which is a different word, eulogeo, to well-speaking.

Happy rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it.

Obedience to the Father is a delight to the inner man.

Much love!

 

[marks]

We can't make our own hearts pure.

There is a way you can purify yourself.

1 John 3:1-3 KJV
1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

"Hope", in the New Testament, refers to what we expect to happen because we believe God. God has promised us resurrection, and we believe God, therefore we expect to be resurrected. Our hope is the resurrection.

Knowing that, being His children now, that when He appears, we will become like Him, causes us to purify ourselves, just as Jesus is pure.

Much love!

 

[hies]

This "blessed" is from the word "makarioi", "happy", rather than to receive a benefit, which is a different word, eulogeo, to well-speaking.

Happy rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it.

Obedience to the Father is a delight to the inner man.

Much love!

That makes sense.

So "Happy is the man who is persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"

Not that you will be happy because you are persecuted because of righteousness, but because you know you belong to the kingdom of heaven. You don't belong to the kingdom of heaven because you were persecuted because of righteousness. Rather, you are happy to endure persecution because you know you belong to the kingdom of heaven.

There is a way you can purify yourself.

1 John 3:1-3 KJV
1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

"Hope", in the New Testament, refers to what we expect to happen because we believe God. God has promised us resurrection, and we believe God, therefore we expect to be resurrected. Our hope is the resurrection.

Knowing that, being His children now, that when He appears, we will become like Him, causes us to purify ourselves, just as Jesus is pure.

Much love!

That makes sense as well. So us desiring, trusting, and hoping to be more like God is what purifies us. God knows we desire Him, so He helps us be more like Him. Without that desire, hope, or trust, he won't force anyone to be like Him.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” - Luke 11:28

Not that you will be blessed by obeying the word of God, but because you are obeying the word of God, it shows you have been blessed by Him.

If you could be blessed by obeying the word of God, it would mean you are blessing yourself.

“Blessed are those that hear the word and obey it.” Consider an odd passage: James 1:22-25 But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. [23] For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: [24] For he sees himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets(him being a forgetful hearer, not a doer) forgets what manner of man he was. [25] But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, ….and continues therein,…he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work,… this man shall be blessed in his deed.

For some reason my bold isn’t working so I tried setting off the parts that catches my attention especially. What does it mean: he sees his natural face in the mirror…but turns away, going his way…and forgets what manner of man he was? (This man…not a doer of the law, but a judge) James 4:10-11



But the one who continues in, this man will be blessed in his deed. To me it means…- a doer of grace and mercy and forgiveness remembering what manner of man he was.
Consider the Pharisees..what they see in the mirror …Christ showing them what manner of men they were but they denied it and turned away from it…deceiving themselves.

makes sense (Imo) to be blessed is the ability to acknowledge the natural face and to not turn away nor deny it, deceiving your own self. but to continue in where He said to not turn away from the truth (the law of Liberty)is a blessing. Remember when He told them they had to eat His flesh and Drink His blood…many turned away and walked with Him no more. He asked His disciples …will you go away also? Their response “where will we go. You have the words of Life.”

 

[ShineTheLight]

Not that you will be happy because you are persecuted because of righteousness, but because you know you belong to the kingdom of heaven. You don't belong to the kingdom of heaven because you were persecuted because of righteousness. Rather, you are happy to endure persecution because you know you belong to the kingdom of heaven.

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. - John 15:18

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. - John 17:16

 

[VictoryinJesus]

This "blessed" is from the word "makarioi", "happy", rather than to receive a benefit, which is a different word, eulogeo, to well-speaking.

Still “blessed” is to receive a benefit …Hebrews 12:9-10 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? [10] For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; ….but he for our profit,… that we might be partakers of his holiness.



can see “happy” used as well but what is the meaning of “happy is he”. To me “happy is he” is still “to receive a benefit”. odd verse here: Psalm 137:8-9 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewards you as you have served us. [9] Happy shall he be, that takes and dashes your little ones against the stones.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

There is a way you can purify yourself.

1 John 3:1-3 KJV
1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

"Hope", in the New Testament, refers to what we expect to happen because we believe God. God has promised us resurrection, and we believe God, therefore we expect to be resurrected. Our hope is the resurrection.

Knowing that, being His children now, that when He appears, we will become like Him, causes us to purify ourselves, just as Jesus is pure.

Much love!

I still think He is the best counselor there is. Consider the word of God as that mirror… Christ as that mirror …but how there is real power in “looking into a mirror”. How often do we or any person look into the word and see something reflected back that convicts them where they voice “I needed to hear that. How it revealed something needful to be seen for the individual.

I still think the deception…the denial “our denial” is what keeps us captive to our own thoughts. Like where someone looks at another person and judges what they do, but they never can see they do the same thing. If they could see their actions are the same they would shut their mouth. They are blind to their own faults. To me this is the benefit God gives which is sight to see your own faults so we stop condemning others for the very same things we ourselves are guilty of. If we could talk to counselors and ask them what harms people the most in their sessions …if might be “denial” and being convinced we have no fault in the circumstances. Not able to see our part. Like when water fell on the wicked witch who screamed “I am melting!” There is some hard truth seeming impossible to receive. But I do think God strengthens us to receive those truths like Saul finally able to hear he had a part in Stephen being stoned. it must have been excruciating to receive the truth…here is a Pharisee, not behind any in his is obedience and very well he could have screamed “I’m melting!” Like Paul said “I died”.

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” - Luke 11:28

Since those who hear AND obey are blessed, then what does that say about those who hear and do not obey? (Matt 7:26-27; 2 Thess 1:8)

 

[marks]

Still “blessed” is to receive a benefit …Hebrews 12:9-10 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? [10] For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; ….but he for our profit,… that we might be partakers of his holiness.



can see “happy” used as well but what is the meaning of “happy is he”. To me “happy is he” is still “to receive a benefit”. odd verse here: Psalm 137:8-9 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewards you as you have served us. [9] Happy shall he be, that takes and dashes your little ones against the stones.

There are two words that were used in the New Testament that are translated blessed. One of them means to be very happy, the other means to have received a benefit. In this place the word was used that means being happy.

Much love!

 

[VictoryinJesus]

There are two words that were used in the New Testament that are translated blessed. One of them means to be very happy, the other means to have received a benefit. In this place the word was used that means being happy.

Much love!

I’m not understanding the significance? Why it has to be corrected that to me “happy” is still “a benefit”.
I guess I’m not seeing while yes…”blessed” may be translated differently in places as either “happy” or other times “to have received a benefit.” It baffles me though where two translations but both “happy” and “having received a benefit” come to the same place …meaning to be happy IS to have received a benefit. I’m trying to see why it vital to you to keep asserting there is a difference in “happy” and “to have received a benefit” …are you or am I just misunderstanding?

to be very happy
to have received a benefit

 

[marks]

I’m not understanding the significance? Why it has to be corrected that to me “happy” is still “a benefit”.

I guess I’m not seeing while yes…”blessed” may be translated differently in places as either “happy” or other times “to have received a benefit.” It baffles me though where two translations but both “happy” and “having received a benefit” come to the same place …meaning to be happy IS to have received a benefit. I’m trying to see why it vital to you to keep asserting there is a difference in “happy” and “to have received a benefit” …are you or am I just misunderstanding?

There are two different Greek words that were used, that's all I'm trying to highlight.

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

If the word "to receive a benefit" were used, it would mean, "How better off are those who hear the word of God and obey it", which is true, but not what the passage says. The word meaning "how happy" was used, so it means, "how happy are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

It's just a matter of pinpointing the wording used.

Much love!

 

[VictoryinJesus]

There are two different Greek words that were used, that's all I'm trying to highlight.

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

If the word "to receive a benefit" were used, it would mean, "How better off are those who hear the word of God and obey it", which is true, but not what the passage says. The word meaning "how happy" was used, so it means, "how happy are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

It's just a matter of pinpointing the wording used.

Much love!

It makes it too complicated to me. What of those who don’t study Greek words? In the Old Testament something that always stood out to me Malachi 3:14-15
You have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? [15] And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

Point is …I don’t really know what that means in Malachi except for questions “what benefit is there in hearing the words of God and doing what He says?” I know it sounds goofy but one thing Dr. Phil always said on his shows was “do you want to be right or happy?” I don’t think it’s a dirty word in saying there is profit in hearing His voice and doing what you hear. I would think it’s “joyful”.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
See…that is all I’m saying to be happy is akin to me with having received a benefit. You said: “If the word "to receive a benefit" were used, it would mean, "How better off are those who hear the word of God and obey it", which is true, but not what the passage says. The word meaning "how happy" was used, so it means, "how happy are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Makes my head spin because it’s the same (Imo) like saying the same thing in the same quote but calling them not alike. Again…what of those who don’t study Greek? To be Happy is having received a Benefit until Greek study calls it otherwise

 

[marks]

Makes my head spin because it’s the same (Imo) like saying the same thing in the same quote but calling them not alike.

I know, I realize that, and this is one place getting into the Greek doesn't help. The Holy Spirit interprets His Word to us, and I'm not concerned over this with you, I think you are getting the right message!

Much love!