1 Aug 2014
Matthew 5:3
Matthew 5:3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Those who are poor in spirit – who see themselves as small and God as big – are highly valued in the eyes of God. In fact, no one will ever enter Heaven who says “I don’t need God; I’m good enough as it is. In fact, God owes me!” We must be poor in spirit to even approach Him, and we must approach Him as one who has nothing to offer and is in desperate need. We aren’t doing God a favor; we’re sinners, in desperate need of forgiveness and grace. We cannot live without Him. He is everything!
For those who do humble themselves, repent, and seek mercy from the grace of God, He grants mercy and forgiveness. In fact, He will give us more than that – He grants us a kingdom. The kingdom of Heaven is not filled with arrogant, self-righteous people, but with the lowly of the world – with people who are looking to Jesus. Christianity is not about being independent; it’s about being lowly and wholly dependent upon Jesus.