Ability (part 5) Thought about the abilities to be under God's Spirit

Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Awaiting the Passage of Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Poor in Spirit

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:3

    The Bible presents many paradoxes that challenge our human way of thinking. We think of the poor as possessing very little, yet Jesus said the riches of heaven belong to the poor in spirit.

Self-reliance robs us of God’s good gifts.

    Jesus insisted that in order to follow Him, we must deny self. As long as we rely on our own resources, we will never place our trust in Him. As we acknowledge the poverty of our souls, we realize how desperately we need a Savior. Jesus declared: “Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 4:17). God has so much to give the one who recognizes his need and will call upon Jesus!

    Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. He had just encountered the rich ruler, who valued his possessions so much that he could not give them up to follow Jesus (Luke 18:18-24). Jesus later encountered Zacchaeus, a wealthy, notorious sinner (Luke 19:1-10). Despite Zacchaeus’s material wealth, he recognized his spiritual poverty and found salvation. Jesus taught the disciples that true wealth is found in a relationship with God. Those who realize their inherent spiritual poverty apart from God will trust in Him, and He will enrich their lives immeasurably. Do not allow your resources, wisdom, talent, or abilities to prevent you from trusting the Person who can bring you abundant life.

From: Experiencing God Day by Day

+

Preceding articles:

Ability
Ability (part 2)
Ability (part 3) Thoughts around Ability

Ability (part 4) Thought about the ability to have ability

++

Additional reading

1. When having found faith through the study of the Bible we do need to do works of faith
2. Facing our existence every day
3. Leading people astray!
4. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) versus Christianity and end times
5. Justification – salvation is by grace through faith – JI Packer
6. January 27, 417, Pope Innocent I condemning Pelagius about Faith and Works
7. Thought for those who think it is not necessary to do any works any more
8. Which is worse–works without faith, or faith without works?
9. Christians remaining hidden not sharing the gospel
10. 100-Day Identity Makeover: Day 56
11. Worthy partakers of the body of Christ
12. Seeds, weeds and kingdoms
13. The Mountain: Radical Obedience

+++

+++

Related articles

• 10 signs you'll never be rich
• Holy Ease Of Heaven
• The Myths Behind Inequality in Our Country
• The richest county in the country has moved far from Washington
• Protesters to sing at London's Black Cap pub two years after its closure
• Prosectors vow to arrest Red Bull heir after court no-show for alleged hit-and-run that killed policeman
• To Trump, government's a series of deals
• 70% Of People With Over $1M "Don't Feel Rich"
• I spent 5 years studying millionaires - and yes, you can get rich working for someone else

Suffering redemptive because Jesus redeemed us from sin

surrendersacrifice has posted a new topic entitled "Why is suffering redemptive?" in forum "General Theology" on Bible Truth.

Suffering is redemptive because Jesus redeemed us from sin through His suffering.  Jesus invites us to join Him in His redemptive work by allowing us to enter into His suffering (which we encounter while doing His work) (Colossians 1:24).  Therefore, to be worthy of Christ we must deny our self, take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 10:38 & 16:24; Mark 8:34; & Luke 9:23 and 14:27). Even the personal sufferings we encounter in life when suffered with faith in Christ (which means that we believe that God will bring out of our suffering) is redeeming because it produces endurance, character and hope (Romans 5:2-3); enables us to overcome sin; and enables us to share in His life (1Peter 4:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:19-21).  Suffering makes us humble; humility teaches us to rely on God; and reliance God frees us of selfishness (which is the cause of all sins). Quite often we are afraid of suffering, however we must remember that Jesus will lighten our burden (if we trust Him) (Matthew 11:30); and that the sufferings of the present is nothing compared to the glory that awaits those who trust Him (Romans 8:18).