Posted on 02/11/2022 10:02:50 AM PST by metmom
“‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 5:3).
Poverty of spirit means recognizing how truly deficient we are apart from God. It means seeing ourselves as we really are: spiritually lost, hopeless, and helpless. Without the gospel of Jesus Christ, everyone is spiritually impoverished, regardless of his or her material accomplishments, educational achievements, or even religious knowledge and church activities.
The “poor in spirit” are people who have recognized their spiritual destitution and their total inability to save themselves—their complete dependence on God. They know their only hope of salvation is to repent and ask for forgiveness, leaning on the sovereign grace and mercy of God. Such a person knows he has no spiritual merit of his own and that his personal strength or wisdom is insufficient to earn him lasting spiritual reward.
“In spirit” expresses the understanding that poverty of spirit can’t be merely a hypocritical, outward act. Being a genuine spiritual beggar reflects true humility, not some phony, pretentious, mild-mannered behavior. Real poverty of spirit is what the prophet said the Lord looks for and affirms: “But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word” (Isa. 66:2; cf. Pss. 34:18; 51:17).
Augustine in his Confessions says pride was his greatest barrier to salvation. Until he realized that his achievements and possessions were nothing, Christ could do nothing for him. It’s the same for any who would be poor in spirit.
Ask Yourself
What specific items or attitudes threaten your ability to remain “poor in spirit”? How does a person maintain a comfort level in God’s presence without losing the perspective of being undeserving of the privilege?
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
“Poverty of Spirit”
I’ve used that phrase lots of times in defending folks that just happen to be poor, through a tough times, bad luck, circumstances, etc . . .
There is a a big difference between that, and those worthless POS leeches and grifters who have Poverty in their Souls, and promote the same to all around them.
Pray for the first, condem the second.
Bookmarked
What is thy servant that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? (2 Samuel 9:8)
Depart from me O Lord for I am a sinful man (Luke 5:8)
I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
I guess I always figured that being poor in spirit meant you had a realistic view of yourself, IOW, you weren’t full of yourself.
It seems the more realistic your self appraisal is the more persuaded you become that indeed it is He and not ye that is able to keep that which you had better jolly well entrust to Him against that day!
Amen.
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