The ESSENCE of True Religion

- Poor in spirit: A sense of unworthiness; I need help; I am spiritually bankrupt.
- Mourning over my sin.
- Meek: Active humility. Not asserting myself or demanding my rights (even if I have legitimate reason to do so).
- Hunger and thirst for righteousness: Longing to be like God. External holiness motivated and empowered by internal purity.
- Merciful: forgiving and compassionate. Dealing with people based upon what they need rather than what they deserve. Note: Government is ordained of God to impose law for the protection of innocent people.
- Pure in heart: Single-minded devotion. Internal moral purity. Pervasive internal uprightness.
- Peacemaker: Promoting God's peace. Promoting total well-being both personally and communally.
- Persecuted: Joy in the trial. Sharing in the sufferings of Jesus. Being treated wrong for living right.
- Be salt and light: Preservation and proclamation. Salt is more "behind the scenes", while light is very visible. Without preservation we have nothing to proclaim.
- Rest in Christ's righteousness. Constantly look to Jesus, the one who fulfilled the law.
- Recognize the danger of all sin.
- Love, even your enemies.
- Righteously practice righteousness. Why worry when you can pray, fast, and give!
- Humble authenticity
- Obedience
- Stability (peace)

Matthew 5:16
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.