Part #2

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Poor in Spirit part 2!!

As you know if you read my last post I went off on a side trip that took me off subject so let’s get back to it.

You saw the definitions I supplied in yesterdays post about the word “poor”. How does that fit into what we tell people about salvation? Do you suppose Jesus came down here and went thru all that just to provide salvation for what mankind had done against Him over all the years? Yes, He did provide salvation for man but for what reason? Have you ever thought about that? What was the reason for creation in the first place? Is salvation some sort of “bar-code” we receive when we repeat some words that gets us in to heaven when we pass off this ball? For sure salvation is free and the greatest gift you will ever receive but what does it require of us after we have it? Assuming we all know about common courtesy and manners. I figure that if someone gives you a gift you at least say “thank you”. When’s the last time you thanked Jesus for what He did for you and asked what else you could do or needed to do to assist with the Father’s eternal plan? In case you are wondering about that, check this out:
Ephesians 2:8 - 11 (NKJV) 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

It would appear from this that God has something for you to do and that you would have to be walking in relationship with the Holy Spirit to know and understand what they are. Remember the scripture about Him leading us into all truth. If you are waiting on some one in what is called leadership to hear for you do you suppose you may be getting some bad information. I’m not saying these people are plotting against you but you can see how hard it would be for these leaders to not only hear about their own lives but for yours also. Most of these people have a heart for God but are operating under traditions man has put into effect that have nothing to do with God’s “eternal purpose”. When you stand before the Father in judgment you will not be able to blame leadership for anything. There will be no going back looking for an excuse. It will over then!!

I would say that those that are “poor in spirit” are those that know this that salvation is not some sort of free ride but are pushing into Christ as hard as they can. Its way past time we came to know Jesus rather than knowing about Him. We must also know what the Holy Spirit wants us to be doing so we aren’t wasting our time on projects He hasn’t sent us on. There are a lot of good works going on out there that God is not even interested in. Just because there are a lot of felt needs out there but you should only be dealing with the ones He sends you on. What if He is dealing with someone and you jump in and solve their problems so they never learn the lesson the Spirit is working on? How many points will that get you on God’s scoreboard??

It’s seems that most teachings we have heard on these Beatitudes have been along the lines of rules we should be living up to. I see them as the outpouring of Christ from us once we have been to the cross, squeezed thru the “narrow gate” and are walking down that “narrow path”. If we are attempting to live up to these or any other rules we are once again attempting to be like Christ on our power. I can tell you from first hand experience that it doesn’t work!! The Holy Spirit will continue to lead you into situations where there is not way to overcome it on your own power. Rather then blame it on the enemy spend some time with the Holy Spirit. He will let you know what it’s all about!!

I’m sure there is more down in my spirit somewhere but that’s it for now!

I am your brother in Christ,

Jim