Poor in Spirit

Bro. Urie Sharp was in rare form Sunday morning. He preaches about once a year at Hopewell, and I behold his seated pre-sermon presence on the podium with great pleasure. If you have never heard Urie preach, well, you've missed out.

Sunday was no exception.

He stated (before the body of the sermon) that each of us is in essence writing our own epitaph, as we go about life in whatever way we do. What would you like to be truthfully said of you on your tombstone?

His main theme: Christians should be "poor in spirit." Now, that doesn't mean we should be depressed all the time - it's not "low spirits" (although Christians should definitely be "low in spirits" i.e. alcohol). Watch me get the real definition wrong, but I think "poor in spirit" refers to a proper view of ourselves - clearly seeing our need for Christ and the position we have in his kingdom. We have nothing to offer ourselves spiritually.

Two people may clothe, feed and visit people for completely different motives and with completely different internal results. One may do it because he wants to think highly of himself - another because he loves and honors God.

I noticed this verse during one of the topics Sunday night. I cannot sit back and expect God to change my life without any effort on my part - it's a concerted effort: "Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." Col 1:29