Sermon on the Mount

Is it transactional? For example, if you are poor in spirit, then yours is the kingdom of heaven. I would suggest that Jesus is not preaching a conditional sermon. The question that we should ask is,“Who?” Who is the one who is poor in spirit? Who is the one who mourns over their sin? Who is the one who is meek and humbles themselves before the judge? Who is the one who is hungry and thirsty for righteousness? Who is Jesus describing?

Romans 3:10-11 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.

No one means NO one. So how does the change happen in us happen? The beauty of this next passage is incomprehensible. For it is by grace, you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast, for we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10. It is grace. It is a gift. Therefore, it is NOT a transaction.

We are God's workmanship. He regenerates the rebellious heart that would never yield.  And he said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.- John 6:44. The Father starts the change.

What can we do? Well, we should get on our knees and cry out for mercy to God who can change us. Jesus was preaching that these kingdom citizens who are defined by God's redeeming work, to them, belong the kingdom of heaven and every other good thing he describes.

Happy and Blessed are the ones who are changed.