The Right Order of God’s Creation
As found in Matthew Chapter 5
BLESSED ARE…
THE POOR IN SPIRIT
Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
This “Sermon on the Mount” starts by telling us that we are Blessed, when we are poor in spirit. We all have heard that this means we are “spiritually bankrupt”.
Yes, I suppose this can be one very basic and rudimentary meaning.
Being “Poor in Spirit” however, means so much more:
“Poor in spirit” in verse 3, from the Greek is ‘ptochos’ which literally means to be 1) reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms, 2) destitute of wealth, influence, position, honor; 2a) lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches; 2b) helpless, powerless to accomplish an end; 2c) poor, needy; 3) lacking in anything as respects to their spirit. 4) Being destitute of the wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford (men of this class most readily give themselves up to Christ’s teaching and proved themselves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure). All of this comes from a root Greek alternate word meaning, “to be terrified”, and “as a decaying corpse”.
It should cause us to wonder, how could we possibly be considered “Blessed” if we are “poor in spirit”. But this is the Right Order as opposed to pride, wealth and self-reliance!
These verses go on to tell us we are “Blessed” if we are “mourning” loss, “hungering and thirsting”, or being “persecuted for the sake of righteousness”. How can this be?
“Poor in spirit” is, more literally, to be crushed in your spirit; to be pinched by toil, hopelessness and extreme poverty; A beggar with no hope of rescue on the verge of death and perishing.
It is when life deals you crushing blows, which seem to be your end with no way of escape, that this marvelous work of salvation, redemption and sanctification can begin; and not before.
The world tells us that we find happiness in ego, admiration, material wealth, possessions, power, status, education and lording it over others. But the Bible tells us, “you must come to the end of yourself to enter the Kingdom of God”. Although, few of us have the will power to bring ourselves to such a desperate state. It is God, alone, who will allow or bring crushing circumstances to bear on our lives which will cause us to turn to God for help. And only God can save us from such desperate circumstances, redeem us to a state of wholeness, health and safety which is His Sanctification (holiness) of our lives.
Please read the following verses and take note of the process. Here, the Bible explain to us, ahead of time, what we must endure (yes, endure) in the Right Order to “inherit the Kingdom of God”.
THOSE WHO MOURN
Verse 4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
“Mourning”. An understandable response upon finding yourself severely pinched by poverty, reduced to begging; destitute with no influence, no position; lowly, afflicted and helpless; powerless to change your circumstances for the better; lacking in anything and terrified.
Think with me. Have you ever endured an especially difficult time? Perhaps, as a child, you were punished for bad behavior? Besides receiving a scolding you may have been spanked or had privileges taken from you? Or perhaps you endured a time of suffering and loss? “Mourning” was the natural response. What did you experience next?
GENTLE IN SPIRIT
Verse 5: “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Do you remember after enduring a time of suffering or loss and “mourning” your loss, having a good cry, your emotions or spirit was quieted for a time? You may have now had time to reflect on what has happened, and you lapse into a time of quiet, gentle appearing reflection.
HUNGER AND THIRST
Verse 6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Do you remember coming through a difficult time, having a good cry, either mentally or actually shedding tears, and then the ‘calm the followed the storm’ in your soul? Do you also remember that, for some reason, with the storm of your life behind you, you were actually hungry?
It is the same in our spirit. It is usually at this point that we begin to make life-decisions. We’re either getting angry and defiant or we decide to do better and to “be better”.
For those being redeemed by the mercies of God, the process is to ‘hunger and thirst for right-thinking and right living’: which is the very definition of Righteousness.
It is through this process that we gain new insights and understanding. How apt are scriptures to remind us in the next verse that
MERCIFUL
Verse 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
The word ‘mercy’ in this verse literally means “kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them; of men towards men: to exercise the virtue of mercy, show one’s self merciful
We are indeed being “Sanctified”: Being made holy and set apart for God’s use.
PURE IN HEART
Verse 8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Our attitudes are changing. Showing mercy is a sign that our hearts are changing and become pure in the sight of God. We are being transformed in what we see and in how we see. We are beginning to see matters as God sees them.
PEACEMAKER
Verse 9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
A peace will begin to settle over the heart and mind of the redeemed and sanctified Believer. We, not only, begin to experience ‘a peace that passes understanding’ from our deepening relationship with God, but we begin to demonstrate and practice that peace of God which earns us the title “sons (and daughters) of God”. We are being made into His image.
PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Verse 10: “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The bible tells us, it is at this time, we inherit and possess the Kingdom of Heaven with all the rights, responsibilities, and authority of a son of God, a joint heir with Jesus.
This statement is staggering, even for the fully devoted and fully surrendered follower of Jesus. And, it is too rich and too profound for the “casual Christian” or “casual Believer” to begin to understand.
The Kingdom of Heaven is a place of royal power, kingship, dominion and rule, not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom, God’s Kingdom. It is of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah. It is the Place of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom. (From Strong’s concordance, definitions and translations of the Greek and Hebrew languages)
Here is what “Entire Sanctification” Looks Like:
LIGHT
Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;”
Verse 15: nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Verse 16: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
These verses should leave the child of God breathless. In John 8:12 Jesus calls Himself, the Light of the World. “Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Dear Friends, let’s not be deceived by this world or by its schemes and distractions:
“It is not what we see with only with our eyes, but by faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible”. (Hebrews 11:3).
“We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal”. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2)
“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” (Psalm 119:15)
THIS IS THE RIGHT ORDER OF GOD’S CREATION!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
(Click here for part 1: WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE)
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