Blessed are the poor in spirit ~ Matthew 5:3

Who are these poor in spirit? Are they folks with low self-esteem? Perhaps those who never stand up for their own rights. Maybe this refers to ones who can never quite make a go of life. Oh–Oh–I know, this is the person who sings in church and then will not accept praise, but diverts it by saying, it wasn’t me, it was Jesus. (I always thought Jesus could sing better than that?!)

No, the poor in spirit over whom the Lord speaks blessing realize that before God they have nothing to offer. Without God, they bring nothing to the table. They have no hope for any future if God does not take their part.

In Psalm 51 David, (God’s favorite) in his prayer of repentance over his failing with Bathsheba, states,

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. – Psalm 51:17

James says,

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” – James 4:6

The poor in spirit see their need for redemption. Without this vision, this revelation, you will never get right with God.

For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, “I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite. – Isaiah 57:15

It is a wonderful thing, to grow up in a Christian family. You have a chance to live a good life and never make those huge mistakes that can hurt you so badly, and cost you so dearly. However, there is a danger of becoming familiar with the Holy, and missing the fact that you need a Savior. This was my testimony. I was born and raised in a church setting for all my growing up years but never got serious about God until at age 25. The Holy Spirit opened my eyes to my own sin and my need for a savior. It changed my life. No longer satisfied to be a good kid, Jesus baptized me in His fire and I am forever changed.

…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ~ Matthew 5:3

There is no other way into the kingdom of heaven save a broken and contrite heart.

You cannot be born into it, you cannot be raised into it, and you cannot memorize enough scripture, or pray enough prayers. It’s not even about believing the right facts about Jesus. You can believe that Jesus is the Son of God and still die in your sin. You can believe that He died on the cross for you and never know the life He offers. You can believe that He rose from the dead and still die and spend an eternity in hell.

Until you see your own spiritual deadness and take hold of Jesus as your Lord, Master, King, and Boss you cannot enter into His kingdom. He is the only way. It is not about believing the right facts or praying the magic words. It is about exchanging your life for His.

Thanks for stopping in.

The kingdom is open, come on in!

Ben

photo credit: verchmarco Geöffnetes, leeres Portemonnaie als Konzept-Darstellung von finanziellen Problemen via photopin (license)