The Prescribed Attitudes No.2: The Poor In Spirit
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The general opinion all over the world is, blessed are they that are rich. The disciples of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ expressed a similar opinion in Matthew 19:24-25. And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? Now our Lord Jesus Christ comes to give us quite a different notion of blessedness and blessed people. To be poor in spirit means to be dependent, on God totally in life, acknowledging one’s helpless state. This beautiful attitude clashed with the worldly values of pride and personal independence. This poverty in spirit is put first among the Christian graces and you must be sincerely humble, to be poor in spirit. The foundation of all other graces is laid in humility. The life of humility begins by repenting of your sins and inviting Jesus Christ to come into your heart and become Saviour and Lord of your life. Are you willing to surrender your life of pride and independence? God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. see James 4:6. The kingdom of GOD is a sure reward for the poor in spirit. I urge you to surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Humble.your self in the sight of the LORD, and he shall lift you up-James 4:10. God bless you as you obey and submit to HIS word.
In Matthew 5:1 it is important to note that it was Jesus disciples that went to Him to be taught. It is also important to note that these beatitudes had been in the mind of God before Christ’s incarnation. Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the express image of the invisible God lived out these beatitudes while on earth. While living out these beatitudes His life style clashed with all the worldly values put in place by Satan as a result of the fall of man. Our Lord Jesus christ was persecuted because of His life style, but He took solace in God’s reward set ahead of Him .See Hebrews 12:2.Our Lord Jesus christ lived out these beatitudes to teach us how to live out these beatitudes in other to be like Him. Are you willing to be taught of Him? Before learning of Him you must voluntarily submit your life to Him.” Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.We urge you to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour by acknowledging that you are a sinner who cannot save himself or herself; confess your sins to Jesus who died for your sins and was raised for your Justification. Turn away from sin and put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the ONLY way to eternal life in heaven.
We are basically looking at the beatitudes to see the prescribed attitudes-Matthew 5:1-12. My Lord JESUS CHRIST called those who lived out these attitudes, blessed because God has something special in store for them. Each beatitude is basically a direct contradiction of society’s typical way of Life. Compare these godly attitudes with the values beamed at us from television, social media, magazine, traditions, culture, human philosophies, Laws, regulations, etc. What differences do we see?. Which set of values are most strongly influencing us in every aspect of our lives? In Matthew 5:12, Jesus made it clear that a serious effort to develop these godly attitudes is bound to create opposition. The good news is that each beatitude tells how to be blessed. The best example of each beatitude is found in Jesus himself. It is important to note that these beatitudes are not multiple choice-pick what you like and leave the rest. They must be taken as a whole as they describe what we should be like as Christ’s disciples. If our goal is to become like our Savior and Lord JESUS CHRIST, the beatitudes will challenge the way we live each day.
SEEK DAILY: Sunday, 23/06/2019