-February 6, 2024-
Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 5:3).
Matthew records Jesus’ “Sermon on The Mount” in Matthew chapters 5-7. It is the longest of all our Savior’s messages recorded in the Gospels. It is addressed to those who are in the kingdom of heaven. It is the charter or constitution of kingdom men and women. Nine times Jesus uses the word blessed in Matthew 5:3-11.
Salvation in not something we merit, it is received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We are not saved by good works, we are saved unto good works. In and of ourselves we are wretched sinners, but now are sinners saved by grace. It is only through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit that our lives are transformed.
The first blessing is being poor in spirit. In what sense are we poor in spirit? Being poor in spirit is being humble before the Lord, broken of our own will, and fully dependent on the Lord for everything. We are light and salt in this world. Thus, being poor in spirit is an attitude resulting in actions reflecting that we belong to Jesus; we are nothing and have nothing apart from Him.
We should never be proud. David wrote in Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” Bible commentator William MacDonald wrote of being poor in spirit, “This does not refer to natural disposition, but to one’s deliberate choice and discipline. The poor in spirit are those who acknowledge their own helplessness and rely on God’s omnipotence. They sense their spiritual need and find it supplied in the Lord.”
Jesus pronounces a blessing on those who are subjects of the kingdom, who follow Him, and will live heaven forever because of His sacrifice on the cross. Heaven is and will be filled by those who know they don’t deserve to be there. We are citizens of heaven, our home is in heaven, and we are on our way to heaven.
Let us as citizens of heaven point people to Jesus for salvation and build up our fellow believers in their most holy faith. Have a blessed day being poor in spirit because we are rich in Christ. Stay safe and healthy.
Being humble and thankful, broken and joyful,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 