The “BEATITUDES” Part 1

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 NIV

I am giving you different translations below so that you would grab the idea behind what Jesus meant by saying blessed are the poor in spirit.

Listen carefully.

“Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor;
the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!” GNT
“Those who know there is nothing good in themselves are happy because the holy nation of heaven is theirs.” NLV
“What wealth is offered to you when you feel your spiritual poverty! For there is no charge to enter the realm of heaven’s kingdom” TPT
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” NLT

Ideally, none of us want to be poor, do we? We all want to be rich. However, you need to realize and acknowledge your spiritual poverty to enter into God’s kingdom and richness.

What does Jesus mean by blessed are the poor in spirit? We must know how unworthy we are to come to the presence of the perfectly holy God. We must agree on how sinful we are. There are people who claim they are not sinners. However, if they really look into their hearts and lives, it won’t take much time to figure out they cannot measure up to God’s law and standards. Think about ten commandments let alone all the other numerous God’s laws, ordinances, and statutes described in the book of Exodus. No one ever can claim that they have not broken the ten commandments, except the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Just focus on just one out of the ten commandments – the last one – that says you shall not covet. Can you claim you never coveted in your life? Covetousness is breaking the law of God and it is sin.

You see, when you come to God we need to realize our bankruptcy, unworthiness, and poverty in the presence of a completely perfect and holy God. God is totally separate and different from us. Therefore, acknowledge the sinful nature and the need for God’s help.

In short, may I put it like this – Poor in spirit are those who recognize they are totally bankrupt and broken and at the mercy of God. Theirs is God and all the vastness of His kingdom. When you feel you are not good enough and unable to make it by yourself, God invites you to come into His kingdom. God exchanges your spiritual poverty with His vast and unfathomable heavenly spiritual richness.

Bible says in James 4:6, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Are you humble and lowly in your heart? Or are you proud and self-satisfied? You see, God consistently resists and opposes the proud heart and thinking.

Beloved, in short, when you realize there is nothing good in yourselves to please God and then accept God’s free gift of Jesus Christ for your sins, then you are ready to enter into God’s kingdom. You are ready to enter into God’s heaven not by pride works or show ups, but by humble acceptance of God’s gift in the person and work of Christ. Because you would never make it. However, Jesus made it possible for you. We need to come in God’s way to approach Him, not by our man-made ways. This needs humility and a broken spirit that acknowledges your unworthiness before a holy God.

Jesus said and it is recorded in Matthew 19:24, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Why? The pride of the rich and their proud look and nature makes it impossible for them to enter God’s kingdom. Alternatively, a lowly heart and poor in spirit enter God’s kingdom.

Beloved, do you realize that you are a sinner and there is no way you can please God and enter into His heaven without God’s provision? If so, you are poor in spirit.

Bible says in Romans 3:22©: 24, “there is no difference at all: everyone has sinned and is far away from God’s saving presence. But by the free gift of God’s grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free.” You and I need forgiveness and Christ Jesus. God is willing to forgive you and make you spiritually rich when you humble yourself and come to His Son, Jesus Christ, who paid for all your sins by his divine and sinless blood.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I accept my bankruptcy in your presence. I agree I am a sinner. I need forgiveness from you. Please forgive me. I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord. Exchange my spiritual poverty with your spiritual richness and enter me into your kingdom in the name of Jesus Christ. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”