“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”1 But is it easy to become poor in spirit? No, not at all. You can be assured that it might take a lifetime to even come near to being poor in spirit.
Being poor in spirit is to see ourselves as spiritually bankrupt when we are without God in this world.
Being poor in spirit is to see how ugly it looks in the eyes of God when I am puffed up with pride.
Being poor in spirit is the opposite of self righteousness which claims ‘I am right, absolutely,” status always.
Being poor in spirit is a state of humility where you are aware of how much and more of God’s grace sustains you each day, moment by moment.
Jesus started off his Sermon on the Mount by pointing to those poor in spirit as heirs to the kingdom of heaven. He was saying that those poor in spirit are truly blessed, happy, and wealthy in a way earthly riches cannot make you.
His standards have not changed. Therefore, when the kingdom of heaven literally dawns on earth someday soon, there will be plenty of shocking surprises.
That is why Jesus said, “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”2 And in those who finally become first will be a host of innumerable people who became poor in spirit and were rewarded with the kingdom of heaven.
Let me therefore end by asking, “Are you poor in spirit?”
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2Matthew 5:3 Jesus, Sermon on the Mount.
2Matthew 19:30 NIV 1984
Would You Be Free from the Burden of Sin
