Who Pleases God? – The Poor in Spirit
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Who are the poor in spirit?
Isaiah 66:2
Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being, declares the LORD. This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.
Jesus illustrated this in Luke 18…
Luke 18:9-14
9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
God made these promises…
Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
So, what is your part?
Matthew 23:12
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
What action can you do right now? You can pray for the right spirit.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
IS YOUR HEART CONTRITE?
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Johann Quisumbing 