“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:3 (NIV)
Christ-centered living involves humility. Recognizing your spiritual bankruptcy apart from God is imperative for the follower of Christ. You cannot come into the Kingdom of God without acknowledging your utter hopelessness outside of God’s provision. To be poor in spirit is to identify your true condition of lostness and separation from God apart from His divine initiative of salvation. In other words, don’t ever lose sight of where you would be had God not come to your rescue in Christ.
To be poor in spirit is to continually recognize your dependency upon God. It is embracing the attitude opposite of self-sufficiency. Our culture rewards those who come across as independent and self-sufficient. In God’s Kingdom economy, He rewards those who place their sufficiency in Christ. Operating in daily dependency upon God is a true mark of the Christ-centered life.
As Rick Warren says, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” The standard that Jesus raises in the Beatitudes is that of being selfless. That attitude does not come naturally. To be selfless is to place the needs of others before your own. Selflessness is a fruit of Christ-centered living.
- “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Eph 4:2 (NIV)
- “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 (NIV)
Center your life on Christ and embrace His way of living the victorious life.
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care