Verse of the Day 1/11
Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." English Standard Version (ESV)
The Message paraphrase (below) begins the passage with "you're blessed when you're at the end of your rope". I've previously thought of the "poor in spirit" as being the "down and out" but also having "humility" in realizing their position. All of these are correct or at least partially correct, but as the commercials on TV often say, wait, there's more. This was brought to my attention yesterday while driving down the highway and listening to a message from this passage on the radio. The pastor/preacher referred to being "poor in spirit" as being morally bankrupt, destitute and in a hopeless position before God in and of ourselves.
It made me think of things in our lives, especially as kids, that we wanted very much but did not have the means in our piggy bank in our bank accounts to ever afford them. They were out of our reach, it was hopeless, futile to even think about it on our own. Our only hope would be for it to be provided, to be given to us by someone who had the means.
That is how it is with our salvation. There is not enough in our spiritual bank accounts to pay the price to earn salvation. We are bankrupt and destitute without the grace of God. Our good works are as "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). We may do good things but those things cannot earn salvation and we could never do enough to build our account enough to purchase it. Salavation comes from faith in Christ alone. (Ephesians 2:8-9). But that faith will lead to the good works that God has for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
Another example of this being poor in spirit is the tax collector from Luke 18 who said "God be merciful to me a sinner" whom Jesus said stood "justified before God" because of His confession and faith. The rest of the beatitudes and the fruit of the spirit are rooted in this being "poor in spirit".
Read the passage below. It's when you realize that on your own you are destitute or a the end of your rope without Christ that you can experience the blessings outlined in the passage.
Blessings,
Mike
Matthew 5:3-12The Message (MSG)
3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11-12 "Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
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