Blessed

Animals are probably happiest when they live as animals in the natural world God created. Once people have caged them, no setting however fine and no food however tasty will make them as happy as running free across open country. So it is with human beings, whom God also created, because however much we own in this world, we cannot find true freedom in it. The world’s wealth, power, and honor may give a person a comfortable life, but they cannot become the true joy of the soul. We can be happy only in the word of God, and we can know true freedom only in Christ. The word God gave us to bring that true freedom is the Sermon on the Mount. Just as nature is beautiful when living creatures and trees flourish together, so the human soul can live a holy life only when it has the word of life.

In Matthew 5:1-12 Jesus taught what kind of life his people must live to enjoy true happiness. When the disciples failed to live by his word, they were afraid; but when they obeyed it, they could live with strength and courage. That is the nature of the Lord’s word. The more tightly we hold on to it, the stronger and bolder we become. That is the grace of God. Our faith, on the other hand, grows weak when it chases the visible blessings of the world. Yet if we obey the Lord’s word, we can be strong and courageous, like Joshua, who took possession of the land of Canaan. The eight sayings of wisdom Jesus spoke are the word of life that helps his people live strong and courageous lives. I hope you will put the word into practice in your life, confessing that because Christ helps you, you can do it through the Holy Spirit. As you live out this word, some will persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, but even their words count toward the reward you will receive, so may you rejoice and be exceedingly glad. You can walk with God today because those who went before us in faith lived by the word under persecution almost too hard to bear, and the blessing of their faithfulness has come down to you. Now it is your turn to guard that road of faith. There is only one way to do it: obey the word and walk the way of truth. At the back of this book I have added an appendix, because I wanted to offer you a little help as you live by faith. There are moments when it is hard to tell what a saint’s life should look like.

But if you think it through with the word at the center, you will find that it is not difficult at all. In a world full of spiritual darkness, hold high the word of Christ, who is our wisdom, and shine its light ahead of you, and the way will surely appear.

My wish is that you will be sure to walk the way of Christ within the word of the Sermon on the Mount, in how you live and in the wisdom you gain. If you walk the way of truth, the Holy Spirit will protect you and keep you. When you set yourself aside and place Jesus Christ at the center of your life, it is remarkable how every answer in the world comes into view. Christ has already given you every answer you seek. The only difference is whether you look for it in the word or in the world.

I thank the members of Watercourse Church, who gave of themselves beyond their strength to publish this book. Because God knows the love of these people who took up the work he entrusted to them, I believe he will make them bear much fruit to fill the Kingdom of God. And for you who are reading this book, it is my earnest hope that your wisdom in the word will grow ever richer, and that a faith full of light will make the glory of God known.

August 2009
Cho Chun-sook, Pastor of Watercourse Church