What does a blessed life look like? Or let me put it this way: What does God say that a life that is blessed looks like? The answer is found in the Holy Scriptures.

In beginning a teaching in what has been called “The Sermon on the Mount”, The Lord Jesus Christ opens His discourse by describing to us the blessed life (Matthew 5:1-12). Even a cursory glance at these 12 verses indicates that the life that is blessed according to Jesus differs greatly from the secular description of what a blessed life is. Read slowly and prayerfully the beatitudes. Ask The Spirit of God to open your heart and mind to what these verses really mean, for therein is the blessed life.

The life of blessing coincides with the narrow path that leads to life (Matthew 7:13,14). It is the abundant life that Jesus promises to those who obtain salvation by grace through faith in Him (John 10:9,10b). This blessed life is not something that we have to wait to go to heaven to experience; it is the life that now is (1 Timothy 4:7,8). John Wesley once said, “Though all men desire happiness, yet few attain it because they seek it where it is not to be found.” Isn’t that true? The world is looking for the blessed life in things like fine food and drink (Romans 14:17). King Solomon sought the blessed life in things like pleasures, music, fine wine and expensive houses, only to discover that it was all vanity and vexation of spirit (Ecclesiastes 12:1-8). Faithful Job knew quite well that material things can go as quickly as they are given to us (Job 1:20-22).

In an age where people are judged more by their looks and outward appearance, we must remember that God sees things much differently (1 Samuel 16:7). God is looking for character more than charisma, and that is exactly what these beatitudes address. They convey the character of the child of God. These are the characteristics of the blessed life.

The Greek word for blessed is translated this way in the Amplified Bible: happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions. Powerful! Many people tell me that they just are not happy in their walk with The Lord. Let me ask you a question, my friend. What kind of happiness are you looking for? The happiness according to this fallen, secular world system, or the happiness that comes from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ? The blessed or happy life, according to this world, changes from hour to hour, but the blessedness that comes from knowing Jesus Christ and living for His kingdom lasts forever.