Blessed are the poor in spirit..

Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

As I recalled one of the bible study lessons last year on the Gospel of Mark, I came across a familiar chapter - The Beatitudes

Jesus begin the Beatitudes with our inability in the mind, highlighting that acknowledging the fact that we humans are unworthy and spiritually poor is of vital importance in our walk with God..The Beatitudes are a set of, what i would say, 'guidelines' to the way we live as Christians..Those who recognise their spiritual poverty are in the best position to experience God's blessing and enjoy his kingdom..

What does it mean by "poor in spirit"?

It refers to a person with spiritual poverty.

One who realize that he is born with a sinful nature and that he cannot save himself, that he is without an ability to glorify himself..

One who has a keen sense of his own sinfulness and need for God's grace..

One who abandons his pride and self-sufficiency and rely totally and with full confidence on God for support..

In the process, this person will be able to acquire the other Beatitudes-the mournful, meek, hungry, merciful, pure and peaceful dispostion..

Some examples that display this personality and attitude in the Bible

1.Luke 18:13 - And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner

2.Judges 6:15, which shows the attitude of Gideon - But Lord , Gideon asked, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family

3.Isaiah 6:5, which demonstrates Isaiah's attitude - Woe to me! I cried. I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty

Christ himself also displayed this attitude on earth

4.John 5:30 - By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me

5.John 14:10 - Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work

What does the other part of the verse means? "For theirs is the kingdom of heaven"

1.The reward for the poor in the spirit..They will possess the qualitites that are essential and crucial for 'membership' in Christ's kingdom, the church..

Matthew 18:3-4 - And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

It takes an inner attitude of complete spiritual poverty to accept God's plan of salvation..

Ephesians 2:7-9 - in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast

2.These people will also inherit the eternal kingdom as well..

Revelation 1:5 - and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

Those who are prideful and self-sufficient could never hope to enjoy the blessings of Heaven. They would never accept that they were sinners in need of a savior, never accept the need to obey God in God's way, and never accept the fact that without God they could do nothing.

In conclusion,

It is only through the humility of spiritual poverty that we can draw close to God and truly enjoy life as He wants us to..