Need clarity

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Pamella

Senior Member
Sep 10, 2014
118
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First, I want to say I really like this board because there are so many people in here that give good answers.

The sermon on the mount. I never seem to really get clarity between these two sayings. It's like the answers are the same. Which they shouldn't be because why would Jesus repeat himself ?

'Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. '
'Blessed are the ( my bible says gentle) humble, for they shall inherit the earth.'

What is poor in spirit really supposed to mean without using the word humble?
People usually say a humble state, but then the third beatitude shouldn't be the same. I'd love a really good definition.
 
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Jesus was really a radical figure! Inasmuch, as "the law" (jewish talmud, as it had become), put a "glass ceiling" on everyone who didn't "play the game", by their rules of "Religious-Political" correctness, as they had created them to be. (mans' rules...not Gods' rules!!..they were just too hard to follow, ya know?)

What Jesus was saying, is "Y'all are blessed, and the apple of My Father's eye! No matter which "type" of temperment y'all have, or have been told you have!" ;)




 
Pamella said:
First, I want to say I really like this board because there are so many people in here that give good answers.

The sermon on the mount. I never seem to really get clarity between these two sayings. It's like the answers are the same. Which they shouldn't be because why would Jesus repeat himself ?

'Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. '
'Blessed are the ( my bible says gentle) humble, for they shall inherit the earth.'

What is poor in spirit really supposed to mean without using the word humble?
People usually say a humble state, but then the third beatitude shouldn't be the same. I'd love a really good definition.
Click to expand...

I think possibly ...

The first refers to the poorness of spirit that leads us to come to Christ in the first place ... to receive the "kingdom of heaven" within ourselves.

And the second makes reference to meekness once we are sealed ... and promises eternal life on earth.

Not quite sure ... but it's what comes to mind ...

Great question. :)
 
A person poor in spirit recognizes their need of God, and has a proper demeanor of humility
before Him, recognizing Him as Creator of the universe, and the author and giver of life.
 
I've always like seeing certain beatitudes in reverse by way of explanation, what they are not. "Blessed are they that mourn." An atheist can mourn the loss of a pet, a mafia thug a fellow, murderous thug: some people mourn if their ball team loses. So, there's clearly no blessing attached to just the act of being in a bad mood or mourning.

So, what is being mourned? What is making the blessed poor in spirit, the mournful, that they are blessed of God? Our sinful condition, our guilt and offensiveness to Holy God that is party to the crucifixion, the blood of the innocent Lord Jesus: blessed are the repentant, falling at the foot of the cross of Christ for mercy. A good example of the blessing, which leads to salvation and justification, is here, which you can also tie in to the blessed meek, the humble,

Luke 18:10-14 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
 
I would add the poor in spirit are in a position to see their dependence upon God for all things...stripped of pride.
Essentially the Sermon on the Mount is describing the fruit of the spirit...

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
(Gal 5:22-23)
 
crossnote said:
I would add the poor in spirit are in a position to see their dependence upon God for all things...stripped of pride.
Essentially the Sermon on the Mount is describing the fruit of the spirit...

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
(Gal 5:22-23)
Click to expand...

Humility before Almighty God is a fact of who we are, and who He is, but do you feel mournful and poor in spirit, as an epignosis, knowing child of God? I've felt much happier in this life, even peace in some bad times, don't see the Christian walk as mournful or poor in spirit so much anymore, anyway, as distinctly so when once seeking, see being mournful and poor in spirit distinguished from joy and peace. See what I mean? It's more my experience the mourning is largely turned to joy, but not speaking for anybody else, of course. I'm just consistently more happy, in Christ, or at least able to cope in peace I wouldn't otherwise have, for His mercy and comfort, find real contentment.
 
Pamella said:
What is poor in spirit really supposed to mean without using the word humble?
Click to expand...
Those who are poor in spirit recognize their spiritual poverty, weakness and frailty. The poor in spirit rely on God's love, grace and mercy and turn to Him in true repentance. The poor in spirit are content with God's provision for them.



Pamella said:
'Blessed are the ( my bible says gentle) humble, for they shall inherit the earth.
Click to expand...
My bible uses the word "meek".

Those who are meek are gentle, forbearing, longsuffering. They do not return evil for evil but rather rely on God to care for them and straighten out wrongs inflicted upon them, and thereby the meek overcome evil with good.
 
The sermon on the mount is Jesus teaching kingdom principals to Israel. It is a look into the future kingdom on the earth where Christ rules and reigns.

It sets the ideal standard by which men should live.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
JesusIsAll said:
Humility before Almighty God is a fact of who we are, and who He is, but do you feel mournful and poor in spirit, as an epignosis, knowing child of God? I've felt much happier in this life, even peace in some bad times, don't see the Christian walk as mournful or poor in spirit so much anymore, anyway, as distinctly so when once seeking, see being mournful and poor in spirit distinguished from joy and peace. See what I mean? It's more my experience the mourning is largely turned to joy, but not speaking for anybody else, of course. I'm just consistently more happy, in Christ, or at least able to cope in peace I wouldn't otherwise have, for His mercy and comfort, find real contentment.
Click to expand...
I don't see poor in spirit as being mournful. It is rather the sense of bankruptcy apart from God's grace...a continual sense.
 
notuptome said:
The sermon on the mount is Jesus teaching kingdom principals to Israel. It is a look into the future kingdom on the earth where Christ rules and reigns.

It sets the ideal standard by which men should live.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
Click to expand...
I believe it also is a reflection of our new nature as Christians (or should be :rolleyes: ).
 
Pamella said:
First, I want to say I really like this board because there are so many people in here that give good answers.

The sermon on the mount. I never seem to really get clarity between these two sayings. It's like the answers are the same. Which they shouldn't be because why would Jesus repeat himself ?

'Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. '
'Blessed are the ( my bible says gentle) humble, for they shall inherit the earth.'

What is poor in spirit really supposed to mean without using the word humble?
People usually say a humble state, but then the third beatitude shouldn't be the same. I'd love a really good definition.
Click to expand...
I really like the movie Avatar, so excuse me if I don't go for Bible verses. And, I'm no big scholar to know if I got this right, so don't count my answer as heavy-hitting. It's just my opinion.

I picture it like Mo'at said. (Mo'at was the female leader of the natives in the movie.) "You can't fill a full cup."

Jakescully answered, "My cup is empty."

To me, that's "poor in spirit." People willing to admit they don't know everything, but need to learn much.

Humble could include people with three-quarter full cups, of completely full cups, but still don't get impressed with themselves for knowing stuff.
 
'Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. '
'Blessed are the ( my bible says gentle) humble, for they shall inherit the earth.'

What is poor in spirit really supposed to mean without using the word humble?
[/QUOTE]
The poor in spirit acknowledge their helplessness and rely on God's onipotence. The meek (humble) are gentle and mild in their own cause, but may be audacious when defending others. I think it is possible to be humble (meek) without being poor in spirit. Some people are really humble, but don't feel the need for God.
 
Imo. The poor in spirit were the group of people that after doing all that the law required still found a void in there souls something missing. Comparing this to verse 20 how could they ever exceed the scribes and Pharisees, who to them were the hand picked men of God, sort of the low society people looked down upon but we're faithful and thankful as well as could be.

Meekness and humble are 2 different things. Meekness is a form of restrained strength. A person that is meek even though he has authority and clout does not use it to compell others. He is the person that his yea is yea and nay is nay. Sound familiar.

Humble is a person who just wants to get the job done doesn't care who gets the credit for it. They do not seek fame and fortune for good deeds or acts no matter how great or small. They seek no reward for their efforts. Just glad to help out. They don't consider themselves above anybody.
It's not to be wishy washy last in line rather give you their steak dinner and eat dirt type that some believe it to be....that's just stupid lol.

Jesus was both of these and more. He was the perfect example of the attributes he is trying to carve into our lives as he spins us on his potters wheel.
 
Jesus fulfilled the law he filled that void he tore down the veil that separated us from God. There is no longer second and third class citizens .
 
Pamella said:
First, I want to say I really like this board because there are so many people in here that give good answers.

The sermon on the mount. I never seem to really get clarity between these two sayings. It's like the answers are the same. Which they shouldn't be because why would Jesus repeat himself ?

'Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. '
'Blessed are the ( my bible says gentle) humble, for they shall inherit the earth.'

What is poor in spirit really supposed to mean without using the word humble?
People usually say a humble state, but then the third beatitude shouldn't be the same. I'd love a really good definition.
Click to expand...

He can only fill an empty vessel

Remember what he said to the pharisees?

"I came not for the well,but for the sick" ....the needy

It is the poor/needy/bankrupt/hungry IN SPIRIT that long for more. They are thirsty souls that see Jesus at the well with waters that satisfy the "thirst"

Only those that are needy,thirsty,poor in spirit know what Jesus is talking about.
Satisfied people have "peaked" they have arrived. They are not seeking,not hungry. They are not desperate for more.
 
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