How would you rate your spiritual condition?
I was talking to a returning college student, who was home for winter break. I asked him what he was learning at school. After a brief conversation about his classes he asked me what I had been learning. I told him, “The depravity of the human heart.” I could tell that I caught him off guard. That certainly is not the answer he was expecting and he had no idea how to respond to my statement. After a long and awkward pause I explained. We are not ok. How many people in this world think that they are ok? If you asked them if they are a good person how many would say, “Sure I am.” That is a blatant lie (at least according to God it is). You may be ok according to your standards but what about God’s standards. Have you ever thought about how you look to Him? The Bible says that even our most righteous acts are like “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:4). Why? Because God is perfect and there are non who are righteous according to God’s standards. Need I say, this is not good news for you and me. I don’t mean to put a damper on your day but we are all sick and in big trouble from God’s perspective.
There is good news however…
Matthew 5:3 says, “Blessed are the poor in Spirit…” This statement doesn’t make sense to us. Happy are those who are poor in Spirit. What does this mean? Does this mean that we should learn self –hate and personal deprecation? No, it simply means coming to grips with your personal spiritual condition. The Greek word for poor in spirit means total poverty, possessing absolutely nothing. What I believe Jesus is saying is, “happy are those who are in poverty with respect to their spirit.” In other words, the only way to find happiness is when you realize that you are not ok and learn to lean on the merciful work of Christ on the cross.
I believe John Calvin said it best, “The man poor in spirit is reduced to nothing in himself-and relies on the mercy of God.” How much do you rely on the mercies of God? Or, are you still trying to find happiness through your own filthy rags of righteousness.
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