Poor in Spirit

July 10, 2011

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”
(Matthew 5:3)

We have only one word that covers many different aspects of poverty. There are several different words for our word “poor” in the original language of the New Testament. Jesus chose one with special meanings. The first use of the word gives quite a picture—“one who crouches and cowers.” This person cannot place himself on the same level as those he seeks help from. The second meaning is very clear—“poverty-stricken, powerless to enrich.” In other words, this person cannot do anything for himself. He has no resources at all. This is quite a picture that Jesus paints with the words “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

This is the opposite of being proud in spirit. We all take pride in varying aspects of our lives. There is nothing wrong in that. Jesus, however, is talking about salvation and a right relationship with the Father. In regards to salvation, there is nothing that any of us can do. We are totally helpless without our Father. Forgiveness of our sins and our cleansing weren’t owed to us.

There are many who think that they can earn heaven by doing good or that God owes them. There is an opening question in an evangelistic Bible study method that asks, “If you were to die tonight and stand before God and He ask, ‘Why should I let you into My heaven?’ what would you answer?” Most answer, “Because of what I have done,” and they name various acts they have done. Their world revolves around “I.” They miss the whole point. Jesus did not die on the cross because we do good deeds or because God owes us because we are His creation. “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). No one had done anything that would have caused Jesus to die for us. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). We have nothing that we can boast about regarding our salvation, save Jesus. “The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23b).

We must accept and admit that we can do nothing to save ourselves and that only God can save us through His great free gift. This is a hard thing for most of us to admit in our culture. We have songs like, “I Did It My Way.” We are taught to be self-sufficient, to stand on our own two feet. God provides for us, and He wants us to turn to Him. No matter how much God desires to provide for us, He will not force Himself on us.

“Blessedness” or “joy” comes from admitting our helplessness and relying on God to save us. Once we are “poor in spirit,” and we come to our Father, then the kingdom of heaven is ours. We have real joy in being a child of God. That joy cannot be affected by outside circumstances (Romans 8:38-39).

————————————-▼————————————-

Merciful, loving Father, we thank You for the gift of salvation. We praise You, Father, for caring and loving us as You do. Help us to always have grateful hearts towards You for the joy we have as Your children. Help us never to take Your love and care for granted and to always be dependant on You. In the name of Jesus, Amen. ~ Ed

Ed Wittlif ~ Denver, Colorado (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Ed Wittlif, former preacher of Albert Lea Church of Christ in Albert Lea, Minnesota, is a University Church of Chirst member.

University Church of Christ

Poor in Spirit