THE ENVIABLE POSITION OF THE POOR IN SPIRIT (Pt. 1)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" - Matthew 5:3.
The book of Matthew chapter 5 speaks about eight characters of the blessed; they present to us the principal graces of the Christian life. I should state from the outset that they are paradoxical in nature; being the reverse of the world view! In other words, they speak of character virtues that are contrary to the expectations of the world.
The poor in spirit (not poor in estate, not poverty of purse or possession) is one who is deeply concerned and sensitive of his spiritual wretchedness. He is one that is tremblingly alive to the necessities of his soul. This is the one that shrinks with fear, lest he should perish because he's without the salvation of God!
The effect of the Gospel of Jesus on such a man is that he is made to see his wretchedness; the Gospel having given him a sight of his spiritual wants and necessities; with the attendant result that he's directed to Christ that he may be made rich.This ought to be our response! Are you humbled by the Truth you hear? Do you not realize that those who are truly humble, lowly in spirit are they that have a right and title to the Kingdom of God? Ignorance of one's spiritual status or rather, let me say that for one not to be concerned about his spiritual state is not only foolish but risky. Have you ever sought to know your spiritual status with the LORD? Let me warn that financial or material prosperity is not to be equated to spiritual prosperity. In most cases, it's the exact opposite!
Here, reference must be made to the Laodicean Church in the Book of Revelation. It's worthy of note that the spiritual condition of the Laodicean Church is similar to the condition of the Church today; a paradoxical state of spiritual poverty in the face of physical or material prosperity. Hear the Lord Jesus testify of that Church: "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." - Rev 3:17-18.
This is a very pitiful spiritual condition that heaven finds in the Church today! In the Eye of God, the physical prosperity of the Church that people boast about today is in actual fact a condition that spells poverty. Brethren, this calls for a careful examination of ourselves as Apostle Paul says: "Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need first hand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. ..." - 1 Cor 13:5-9, MSG.
This is what we regularly should do! May the Lord help us, in Jesus name.
PRAYER
Dearest Heavenly Father, I truly have seen my spiritual poverty. I have taken things for granted. I repent of my foolishness, in Jesus name.