Congratulations on your poverty! What kind of crazy statement is that? And yet, it's the very statement made at the beginning of one of the most famous teachings ever.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5.3-10)
Qualities of blessedness, or Beatitudes, as they are commonly called. What is interesting about each of these "blessed qualities" named by Jesus is that they are all need-based. Conspicuously absent from His list are wealth, contentment, assertiveness, and self-satisfaction. Nowhere does He say, "Blessed are those who have it all together"!
No one comes to the King or the kingdom on the basis of personal merit. The only way is to come empty-handed and broken. The need-based are congratulated and welcomed.
I've lost count of all the people I've talked to over the years who thought that working on being "good enough" was a prerequisite to conversion. Unless their eyes have been opened to biblical truth, they are still working on it, because no one achieves this elusive goal. Worst of all, it's the wrong goal.
You and I cannot truly hope for the life of the coming kingdom until we first of all face the fact that we are spiritually destitute. So long as there is even a minuscule measure of pride that asserts that we are worthy, we truly are not. We become worthy by facing the truth of our absolute unworthiness.
The inscription on the famous Statue of Liberty best describes the gracious offer of Jesus in the Beatitudes: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
Weary pilgrim, you have truly found wholeness and health when you have come in your abject poverty to the King of the kingdom. The abundance of grace then liberates you to become all that your Father desires, and to mercifully assist others in their helpless poverty. Savor His grace today, and liberally serve in gratitude.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5.3-10)
Qualities of blessedness, or Beatitudes, as they are commonly called. What is interesting about each of these "blessed qualities" named by Jesus is that they are all need-based. Conspicuously absent from His list are wealth, contentment, assertiveness, and self-satisfaction. Nowhere does He say, "Blessed are those who have it all together"!
No one comes to the King or the kingdom on the basis of personal merit. The only way is to come empty-handed and broken. The need-based are congratulated and welcomed.
I've lost count of all the people I've talked to over the years who thought that working on being "good enough" was a prerequisite to conversion. Unless their eyes have been opened to biblical truth, they are still working on it, because no one achieves this elusive goal. Worst of all, it's the wrong goal.
You and I cannot truly hope for the life of the coming kingdom until we first of all face the fact that we are spiritually destitute. So long as there is even a minuscule measure of pride that asserts that we are worthy, we truly are not. We become worthy by facing the truth of our absolute unworthiness.
The inscription on the famous Statue of Liberty best describes the gracious offer of Jesus in the Beatitudes: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
Weary pilgrim, you have truly found wholeness and health when you have come in your abject poverty to the King of the kingdom. The abundance of grace then liberates you to become all that your Father desires, and to mercifully assist others in their helpless poverty. Savor His grace today, and liberally serve in gratitude.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
posted by steve @ 7:51 AM
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