In the past few weeks, we have touched on a few characteristics of God's Holy Spirit, and we will continue to do so for the next foreseeable future. But, this week, I want to bring attention to one of the inspirational passages that is the impetus behind my thought process on the workings of the Holy Spirit. According to Ecclesiastes there is nothing new under sun. So for me to say all these things are my idea would be insidiously false. Indeed, all that I have was given to me by another throughout my life.
Each of us have a world view and a philosophical concept as to how life is, how it works, and yes what is right and wrong. As was mentioned last week by Seeker in his comment on Discernment, our concept of what is right and wrong is in a large part based on our culture, our upbringing, but more so our surroundings and educational opportunities. We truly are what we "eat" or take in mentally, meaning if we believe miserable thoughts, we are miserable. If we believe healthy thoughts, we will be mentally healthy.
For these studies, I am basing what I share on my conceptual grasping of the Bible, how it "clicks" in my head. Essentially, how I "understand" or see it. So, let's take a moment and contemplate the passage above, one of my favorites in the Bible. I hope it blesses you as preparing this lesson has blessed me.
The Setting:
According to the previous chapter, they were in the highland area above Galilee. It was after the tempting of Jesus, the time commonly considered the beginning of Jesus ministry. We find the Master surrounded by "multitudes" who he was ministering to. He withdrawals into the "mountain" to teach his disciples. It is one longest passage of teaching, if not the longest, recorded in the Gospels, and is thought to be connected to the passage in Luke, aside from the parts of the Jewish laws quoted in Matthew 5.
The lesson:
If you look closely, all of the "blessed are(s)" appear to be a positive
concept specifically pointing to either the lack of evil spirit, or the
abundance of Holy Spirit.
Poor in spirit: Isn't it interesting how the Master opens? He is recorded in saying. "Blessed are the poor in Spirit..." I have heard many interpretation, mostly pointing to being meek, or somehow connected to money. Well, the word "poor" refers to Strong"s Concordance #G4434 which suggests that a person is lacking in something..."lacking in anything a) as respects their spirit". This begs the question "what should we be lacking in, in regards of 'spirit'"?
As we read in so many places, God wants us to be full of His Spirit, to be rich in Spirit. So, why are the "poor in spirit" being blessed by Jesus? The only viable answer is to interpret this as those that are poor in evil spirit. There are many passages in the New Testament that refer to the idea of getting rid of evil spirit, and to "put on the new man"
Poor in spirit: Isn't it interesting how the Master opens? He is recorded in saying. "Blessed are the poor in Spirit..." I have heard many interpretation, mostly pointing to being meek, or somehow connected to money. Well, the word "poor" refers to Strong"s Concordance #G4434 which suggests that a person is lacking in something..."lacking in anything a) as respects their spirit". This begs the question "what should we be lacking in, in regards of 'spirit'"?
As we read in so many places, God wants us to be full of His Spirit, to be rich in Spirit. So, why are the "poor in spirit" being blessed by Jesus? The only viable answer is to interpret this as those that are poor in evil spirit. There are many passages in the New Testament that refer to the idea of getting rid of evil spirit, and to "put on the new man"
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and
true holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24
Mourn: refers to one that laments. There are times in the Bible that mourn is replaced with the word "bewhail", the same meaning, which shows humility, compassion and pity, as Paul writes;
| [And] lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and [that] I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. 2 Corinthians 12:21 |
This suggests that to mourn means to suffer over those that are not saved, to mourn over lost souls.
Meek: to be humble, poor, lowly. Again the idea of bringing one's self to a place of subjugation, lacking in evil spirit, and willing to be led. The meek shall inherit the earth. Many suggest that this is some sort of apocalyptic promise, but it is simpler than that. If we break it down in a simple manner, to inherit means to obtain, or receive;
Specifically according to Strong's Concordance it means
1) to receive a lot, receive by lot a) esp. to receive a part of an inheritance, receive as an
inheritance, obtain by right of inheritance b) to be an heir, to inherit
2) to receive the portion assigned to one, receive an
allotted portion, receive as one's own or as a possession
3) to become partaker of, to obtain
The meek shall inherit the "earth". This is not complicated either. Jesus refers to our minds where God grows His word in the parable of the sower as the field Matthew 13:24, and again as the "kingdom of God is within you" Luke 17:21. The meek, poor in spirit, shall inherit the kingdom of God, or earth.
Hunger and thirst after Righteousness: This obviously refers to those that want to know the Word and Spirit intimately. God promises to fill us with that which we seek. this is a key verse in this passage, because as we continue to meditate on this passage, we will see all these blessings are speaking of the same person(s). The most common verse that speaks of these things may be Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Merciful: Comes from the Greek root word eleeo (G1653) meaning those who feel sympathy with the misery of another, especially such sympathy as manifests itself in act, less frequent in word.
Pure in heart: The heart is used often when speaking of the mind and our thoughts, and pure speaks of being without evil spirits. The writer of Hebrews encourages us with these words; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22
Peacemakers: Those who love peace. It may be argued that this means physical peace as in against war, or pacific...one who is referred to as a pacifist. But using the rest of the verses in this passage as a guide, you will notice all these things refer to a state of mind and spirit. This is the only verse in the Bible that mentions "peacemakers" and can be arguably defined as one who grows the spiritual characteristic of peace within their mind. We will cover peace as its own study, but simply put peace generally refers to the state that is experienced once one has been sealed with the promise of salvation. So, peacemakers may be described as one who bring others to Christ.
The last two verses that refer to "those who are persecuted" for righteousness sake again deals with the issue of torment for the good works of God within ones mind. As we continue to do God's work, inevitably there will be problems within and without us. We battle daily with what we know is right, but we are hell bent to do those things which is wrong, When we do the right thing, thoughts may hit us with all manner of things, judgement thoughts, self righteous thoughts, and we have to battle those too.
The Practical Application
This has been a bit longer than I normally write, but I hope it helps to understand the importance of the inner man, or Christ within us. When we meditate on what this passage means, we can see that Christ was simply trying to convey that we must work our inner man towards meekness, peace, and being poor in spirit, or to become holy, sanctified, perfected.
Essentially Christ was speaking of the process of being a child of God. As chapter 5 continues, we see that Christ uses many examples to bring home what he is speaking of, using phrases such as "you are the salt of the earth" and "but if you think of such a thing"and whosoever is angry without cause...".
All these things direct us to work on the mind, the Spirit within the mind, and the Word that governs the thoughts of our heart. He finishes this chapter with a commandment to be perfect as our Father which is in Heaven is perfect. The only way we can attempt to become perfected is to allow the Holy Spirit to weed out that patch of holy ground within our minds and grow the Word and Spirit in its place.
We must continue to work on recognizing the Spirit's work and leading, the Word's instruction and meaning. These two things are of the utmost importance to God, His Word and Holy Spirit. Listen to your heart, and know what God says, and all else will follow as it should. May God richly bless you as you grow his Kingdom. Here are a few scriptures to consider for your daily quiet time.
Job 8:6 Psalm 1:1-3
Romans 8:4,5 1Peter 2:9
Colossians 3:12,13 Colossians 3:16,17
Hebrews 2:16-18
Thanks for posting these, I really enjoy reading them.
ReplyDeleteBecca
You're so welcome. Please come back and continue to be a part of the conversation.
ReplyDeleteBob