EXPLORE
The Members of God’s Kingdom Jesus’ words tell us what belonging to God’s kingdom means. Members of God’s kingdom accept God’s direction for their lives. God first revealed that direction in the Old Testament—especially in the Ten Commandments. The Old Testament law is completed in the New Testament. To live the New Law means to practice Christian virtue and live in the grace of the Holy Spirit. The Son of God became man to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Jesus gave God’s direction for us under the New Law in the Beatitudes. They tell us how to share in God’s life and be happy. They teach Christian virtue. How can we grow in virtue? We can study the meaning of the Beatitudes, live out their values, and keep on trying to follow them when it is difficult. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the grace we need to practice Christian virtue, which the Beatitudes express. When we live the Beatitudes, we are living as members of God’s kingdom. We are acting as a sign of God’s goodness in the world. We are bringing happiness to others—and to ourselves.
Jesus preaching the Beatitudes, Elizabeth Wang.
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SESSION 4 • God Directs Our Lives
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LoyolaPress.
I-Pass 9/6/13
15
9/6/13 10:36 AM