Loading... Matthew 5:3 - BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Two men went up to pray, one man was a religious leader and the other was a lowly tax collector. The religious leader was quick to draw attention to himself and he was quick to tell God all the good and religious things that he did in the name of God. The lowly tax collector simply asked God to be merciful with him because he was a sinner. Jesus tells us that it is the humble tax collector that God will exalt.
In this passage, Jesus teaches us that those who are poor in spirit will be blessed. One who is poor in spirit is one who understands that they have not, nor could they ever earn their salvation. One who is poor in spirit is like the tax collector who understands that they are not worthy to stand before a Holy God who will actually receive the true blessings of what God has to offer them here on this earth.
One day Jesus observed a widow giving her last two mites. Jesus told his followers that this widow gave more than all the rich people who had gave out of their abundance. The rich may have given more money, but in heavenly currency, they had not given very much because they gave of their abundance and not from their heart.
Do you understand what it means to be poor in spirit? Are you willing to live your life totally abandoned unto God? Are you willing to admit that you cannot earn your salvation nor is there anything that you can do to earn the good graces of God?
It does not matter what you say, down deep in the depths of your heart, you want to earn your salvation. There is something about the sin nature of man that feels like you have to do something in order to earn your way to heaven.
Christ is clear that it is the poor in spirit who obtain the kingdom of heaven. If you desire to obtain the kingdom of heaven, then it is time for you to change your life and it is time for you to start living by the standards of God rather than live by the standards of this world.
Are you the religious leader or are you the tax collector when it comes time to pray? Do you pride yourself in all the things that you do for God or are you simply willing to pray for HIS mercy because you understand that you have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? Are you the widow who is willing to give all that you have to God or are you like the rich individuals who only are willing to give out of your abundance?
It is not easy to be poor in spirit. To be poor in spirit, you must learn to focus upon the perfect standard of God and realize just how unholy you are. Stop comparing yourself to the people of the world and instead focus upon the fact that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Once you understand just how unworthy you are without the blood of Jesus Christ, then you can be ready to obtain the true gift of the kingdom of heaven.
Be diligent to add temperance to your life. The things of this world will be quick to draw your attention away from the perfect standard of God. The things of this world will try to distract you by causing you to be proud of your religious standards. By learning to focus upon God, you will be ready to live your life as God desires you to live your life. Learn to be least here on this earth so that God can make you great where it really matters.