The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-12) contained in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is perhaps the greatest exposition ever written regarding godly character and attitude. Often the 10 attributes mentioned here are overlooked because, in our performance-based culture, inward holiness is not seen as important as outward fruit. However, being transformed into the image and character of Christ is a prerequisite before we can walk in the ministry and power of Christ.

In regard to those like myself who preach on the manifestation of the kingdom of God that can transform society, it is important for us to realize that Jesus focused on these 10 attributes before He called His followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matt. 5:13-16).

Consequently, this behooves us to merge the kingdom message of societal transformation with the teachings of the pietists (some even call them mystics) who focused on individual transformation; we cannot have one without the other. (Both camps need to bring balance to the other.) Truly, God cannot trust us with power and influence before we have Christ-like character worked on the inside of us.

The following are the 10 attributes needed in order to qualify for spiritual and societal leadership in God's kingdom:

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The word "poor" here is the Greek word ptochos, which means one who is humble in regard to his own capacities, or one who is not spiritually arrogant. Someone who is poor in spirit is a person who is totally dependent upon Jesus for their life, wisdom, sustenance and power. The poor in spirit know that they are empty without God; that they have no righteousness on their own, and no outward show to keep propping up their identity. This is the opposite of a spiritually arrogant person who lives a life of presumption and pride and does not depend upon or consult with the Lord in regard to the direction of their life.

If we are going to be trusted by God with real kingdom influence, we cannot be haughty, arrogant or have a proud attitude regarding material and/or ministry success; we need to live a life of daily dependence upon the Lord.

2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Those who mourn in our context could mean a person who is very sensitive to the needs, hurts and wants of others—someone who empathizes with others. Empathy gives us the capacity to feel what others feel, to see what others see, so we can adequately bring them the Word of God. Mourning has to do with grieving over the sin of others and the poor state of spirituality in the church and society. Those who mourn are broken vessels who give themselves up to much prayer and intercession until God's Spirit is poured out and brings restoration to a person or situation.

3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. When people are meek they are gentle, kind, considerate and humble. Those who attempt to exert top-down leadership that imposes their will and desires do not represent true kingdom leadership. Forceful, abusive, manipulative leadership is not going to be blessed by God in the long run, since many people will not endure sitting under such behavior for long.

Dr. Mark Rutland's

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