Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF BELIEVERS
This is the first in a new series of articles reflecting on the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-12. The Lord opens his most famous sermon, The Sermon on the Mount, with a listing of characteristics that are to distinguish his disciples. All of us will do well to carefully reflect on this list and give attention to our own lives. What kind of people are we to be? What attitudes should mark those who have been truly born again? In stark contrast to worldly reasoning, Jesus calls each of these marks “blessed.” To be blessed like this is to be in a state of well-being with God that belongs to those who respond in faith to Jesus.
POOR IN SPIRIT
Being poor in spirit is the first of these characteristics. Just as the fuel gauge in a car helps the driver to recognize a deficiency in fuel, so God’s word helps us to see our need of God. The phrase means to have personal knowledge of spiritual emptiness. To be poor in spirit is to be humble and acutely aware the need for God. This attitude is displayed through repentance of sin. Truly knowing God by receiving his grace in the gospel produces a disciple who is poor in spirit. Jesus says the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit. The citizens of God’s eternal heavenly kingdom will not be those who are arrogant, independent, and unrepentant. Those who lived this life with no real need for God will never see God’s kingdom. Heaven will be only populated with those who are poor in spirit.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you poor in spirit? Do you think you will enter heaven? On what basis? Jesus wants us to know that, in ourselves, no one has the spiritual resources nor expertise to live a life that is pleasing to God. One of the most insidious, dangerous qualities of human sinful nature is pride. Personal pride is found at the core of an unbelieving mind and hardened heart. Only when God graciously and miraculously redeems a human soul is anyone able to walk with genuine poverty of spirit. This transformation produces the humble repentance that marks true believers. Only with this poverty of spirit can anyone truly anticipate entering the joy of heaven.
For His Glory,
Pastor Thomas