Having a Kingdom Attitude 1

Today we switch gears just a bit, but we are not going away from the subject of stress. Let's take a look at the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. Here we see Jesus teaching His disciples about what it truly means to be a Christian. In fact, when you read these verses, you get a sense of what it means to not only be a Christian on this earth, but also the attitude of everyone who calls heaven their home. It is this attitude and these characteristics that not only reflect Christ but will also give us victory in a stressed filled life.

The first blessing has to do with a "poor spirit". The word blessed can mean happy, but more applicable it means "approved by God". Approved by God are those who recognize that spiritually they are bankrupt and need outside help. The word for "poor" in the Greek is ptochos which means completely depended on another for survival. So, the ones who make it to heaven are those who realize that their self-righteousness will give them hell, but the
righteousness of the perfect God/man will give them heaven. Life is more stressful when we try to make it to heaven on our own good deeds. The Pharisees carried this same attitude in Luke 18:9-14. They loved to look at their own works and boast of the fact that they were so good, and yet Jesus condemned their self-righteousness. It was the publican, the sinner, who recognized his position before God as unworthy, and yet humbled himself before God to accept God's mercy and salvation. If I seek to get to heaven by my good works, it will only stress me out each day when I see how little I have done and how much I still have to do. Are you relying on your good works to get you to heaven? What a stressful situation to fine yourself in. All men need to realize how short we miss the mark on our own, and make the decision to humble their hearts and accept the perfect work and righteousness of Jesus Christ. This attitude also applies to we who are Christians, let us daily search our hearts to make sure that we remove all pride that will hinder fellowship with our God. This life is not about us, it is all about bring glory, honor, and power to Jesus Christ in everything we say and do! It is only when we carry this attitude of "poor of spirit" that we truly will live as Christ intended for us to live. Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.