Editorial June 12, 1943 Issue

Blessedness, Not Penalty

Evelyn F. Heywood

Christ Jesus held out positive and substantial reward to those who earn it. His parables set forth the penalty for evil and the certain reward of righteousness. In his Sermon on the Mount he gave the assurance of benediction for every right mental attitude. This is the reward of sonship; this is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus did not promise ease in this world. He knew too well the mortal resistance to the standard of righteousness. But he made it clear that nothing short of spirituality, nothing short of seeking first the kingdom of God, achieves even in this world real satisfaction. Dealing rightly, in the spirit of honesty, of brotherhood, of obedience to God's law, alone assures entry into the kingdom of heaven. Blessedness comes only as the result of spiritual knowing. This is the epitome, the climax, of the Sermon on the Mount; it is summed up in Jesus' words, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

With each beatitude obeyed, one thing is promised—the spiritual evidence of good. Not what men do in great deeds or brilliant efforts, not what they admire in others, but what they are, brings blessedness. Blessedness is not fortuitous; it is not contingent on another, on birth, circumstance, personal accomplishment; it is the effect of spiritual understanding, of obedience to the demands of God. Blessedness comes in the midst of persecution as well as in prosperity. To recognize this is important, because persecution is often regarded as a penalty, whereas Jesus made it clear that he who is attacked for righteousness' sake is actually blessed, is in possession of the kingdom.

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