The Beatitudes are a description of a disciple of The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:3-12). They are a description of Christian character which is the fruit of abiding in Jesus Christ (John 15:1-16). As we ponder this list, it does not take long to discover that God’s “Who’s Who” list is vastly different from the world’s!
The foundation of all the other beatitudes is that of being “poor in spirit”. The Greek word for poor here means to crouch over. Strongs Concordance tells us that it describes a beggar (as cringing), i.e. pauper. Although it is a word commonly used to describe people who are financially destitute and bankrupt, the word also applies to the realm of one’s soul or spirit in comparison with the perfections of a holy God. As long as we compare ourselves with ourselves, we can always find someone, somewhere that we are better than in some way, shape or form. But, when you and I see ourselves in the light of God’s perfect holiness and majesty, we realize we are blind, wretched, naked and poor (Revelation 3:17).
The Sacred Scriptures do not Amen the secular doctrine of humanism and human potential apart from the grace and Spirit of God. The record of Scripture declares that “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). The Holy Spirit provides for us a spiritual CAT scan of mankind with a diagnosis that staggers our minds and blows our ego out of the universe (Romans 1:22-32, 3:11-18). If the Scriptures did not declare it, I would not believe that I was born into this world an ungodly enemy of God (Romans 5:6,8,10). If the Scriptures did not declare it to be so, I would not think that I needed to be born again of The Spirit of God if I intended to see or enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-8). I am naturally more in agreement with that Pharisee in the temple than with the lowly publican (Luke 18:9-14).
By God’s grace, I am able to see my wretched condition (Romans 7:24). This awareness of who I really am in the sight of God leaves me broken (Psalm 34:18, 51:17). But it doesn’t leave me without any hope, because God in His marvelous grace has provided a solution to my sin debt and lifestyle of sin problem, and that solution is the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16,17). Through faith in Christ, all of my sin is forgiven (Ephesians 1:7) and I am born again (1 Peter 1:18-23). Yes, I still sin and have need of continual forgiveness from God (1 John 1:7-10), but now I am a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The holiness of God leaves me spiritually bankrupt. The love of God leaves me speechless. The grace of God bids me to come and find rest for my soul (Matthew 11:28-30). Heaven only awaits those who are poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). Is that you?
