PASTORS CORNER:
Today we see many in our society living in a negative way. We see it on Facebook, on the daily news, in speech and actions of those around us. It seems as if there is no inner peace.
In Matthew chapter 5 Jesus begins an important teaching about our attitudes and character. He begins by using the word "Blessed". This was a powerful word to those who were in attendance that day. To them it meant "divine joy and perfect happiness". It describes an inner satisfaction and sufficiency that does not depend on outer circumstances for happiness. This is what the Lord offers those who trust Him.
The Beatitudes, verses 3-12, describe attitudes that Jesus desires for our lives today as well. The first is very important for us to learn as it unlocks all the others. It addresses the attitude of our own heart: "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3. To be poor in spirit means to be humble, recognizing the emptiness in our hearts without God. It doesn't mean we don't have a backbone. It is being honest with ourselves and our weaknesses, accepting ourselves as God does and wanting our lives to glorify God. It is understanding that man has no virtue inherent in himself, that each gift and each grace of the spirit comes from God.
The great expositor Alexander MacLaren said "To me it means a just and lowly estimate of myself, my character, my achievements, based upon a clear recognition of my own necessities, weaknesses and sin."
As we can see, this is a complete opposite of the worlds attitude of self praise and self assertion. It is that quality of spirit that longs for and intensely desires for God to supply the true needs of the soul. It takes a daily examination of our attitude to keep the right perspective.
It releases the saving grace of God to us.
It fits us for service in the kingdom of God.
It opens the eyes of the heart to see the broad horizons of all that God has prepared for us in heaven.
An unknown poet has said:
"He that is down, need fear no fall
He that is low, no pride
He that is humble, ever shall
Have God to be his guide"
Today we see many in our society living in a negative way. We see it on Facebook, on the daily news, in speech and actions of those around us. It seems as if there is no inner peace.
In Matthew chapter 5 Jesus begins an important teaching about our attitudes and character. He begins by using the word "Blessed". This was a powerful word to those who were in attendance that day. To them it meant "divine joy and perfect happiness". It describes an inner satisfaction and sufficiency that does not depend on outer circumstances for happiness. This is what the Lord offers those who trust Him.
The Beatitudes, verses 3-12, describe attitudes that Jesus desires for our lives today as well. The first is very important for us to learn as it unlocks all the others. It addresses the attitude of our own heart: "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3. To be poor in spirit means to be humble, recognizing the emptiness in our hearts without God. It doesn't mean we don't have a backbone. It is being honest with ourselves and our weaknesses, accepting ourselves as God does and wanting our lives to glorify God. It is understanding that man has no virtue inherent in himself, that each gift and each grace of the spirit comes from God.
The great expositor Alexander MacLaren said "To me it means a just and lowly estimate of myself, my character, my achievements, based upon a clear recognition of my own necessities, weaknesses and sin."
As we can see, this is a complete opposite of the worlds attitude of self praise and self assertion. It is that quality of spirit that longs for and intensely desires for God to supply the true needs of the soul. It takes a daily examination of our attitude to keep the right perspective.
It releases the saving grace of God to us.
It fits us for service in the kingdom of God.
It opens the eyes of the heart to see the broad horizons of all that God has prepared for us in heaven.
An unknown poet has said:
"He that is down, need fear no fall
He that is low, no pride
He that is humble, ever shall
Have God to be his guide"
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