STUDY NOTES 

Poor in Spirit

Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor is spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”  What did Jesus mean by poor in spirit?  Strongs concordance gives us a better understanding.  “Ptochos” is the Greek word translated in most bibles as the word poor.  It means; lowly, afflicted, helpless, powerless and broken.  Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, these oh God, you will not despise”.  People with this attitude of Godly sorrow and deep sincere repentance have a future in Gods kingdom.

Hate all, even your own life.      

What I have below is a better translation than the use of the word “hate” used in the Bible.           

Luke 14:26-27 “If anyone comes to me but loves his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  Whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”

Matthew 10:37-39 says the same.  Since Christ gave is life so that we can have life our love for him should be greater than any physical connection we have. 

We must forsake all physical things to put Christ first. This does not mean we literally hate our loved ones or give away all our possessions, just don’t let them cause us to lose sight of Christ.

Taking up our cross and following after Jesus is to live as he lived, obeying God in all things. When Jesus gave us the two great commandments of love God and neighbor, he lived them and we need to follow him. This can cause problems and persecution for us in this world as it did for Jesus.  It is not easy to be a saint because you are at odds with the world and under Constant attack by Satan while having a spiritual warfare taking place in your spirit.  Jesus did not have it easy and you won’t either.  Would you, if required by God, give up your life?  Would you turn your back on all the carnal people you love?  Would you walk away from all your possessions?  

Born Again

What is being born again?

1 John mentions born again saying that those who are cannot sin. Jesus tells us what being born again is. John 3.  It is being like the wind, a spirit being and is also called born from above or born of God.