Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ… (Galatians 3:13-14, KJV)

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22; KJV)

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12, KJV & Amplified):

Blessed are the poor in spirit (the humble): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth.

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.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

The beatitudes as taught by our Savior. I noticed something about them yesterday. They seem to me to be the attitude of a person that walks in the love of God. Many of these states are not possible with a heart full of fear. If you are fearful, you will not be merciful. If you are fearful, you will not be able to walk in peace and help others walk in peace. If you are fearful you will not be humble and patient. If your are fearful you will be pressured to thirst after things other than God and His ways of righteousness. If you are fearful, you will not rejoice and be glad when persecuted.

Think about the times you have been full of fear. Did you respond the right way? Were you patient and kind? Or did the pressure and torment that accompanies fear push you to respond out of love?

You see love and love alone can drive fear out of a  heart (1 John 4:18). And a heart that is free from fear, a pure heart full of the love of God, is free to walk in the way Jesus described in the beatitudes. That person that knows and believes he is loved and loves God and loves others is blessed. That person walks in the blessing that is already ours through Jesus Christ.