The Poor in Spirit...true humility is born in the crucible of grace

"This is how one should regard us,
as servants of Christ
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Moreover, it is required of stewards
that they be found trustworthy."
-1 Corinthians 4:1-2

The great theme song on the lips of the postmodern contemporary church today is no longer "Holy, Holy, Holy", but "Send in the Clowns."

In an age where pastors have morphed into amateurish stand-up comedians, clever raconteurs, mass-marketers of themselves, spiritual chameleons, scatological sermonizers, and biblical motivational speakers; the true man of God was once poor in spirit, broken, contrite, and found his joy and contentment in ministering the Word of God, serving the people of God, proclaiming the gospel of God, and doing all things to the glory of God.

But that has all changed today.

The tragic results of this spirit are all about us: shallow loves, hollow religious philosophies, the preponderance of the element of fun in gospel meetings, the glorification of men, trust in religious externalities, quasi-religious fellowships, salesmanship methods, the mistaking of dynamic personality for the power of the Spirit. These and such as these are the symptoms of an evil disease, a deep and serious malady of the soul. -A.W.T.

Quotes below by: Thomas Watson
He that is poor in spirit is lowly in heart:

Rich men are commonly proud and scornful, but the poor are submissive. The poor in spirit roll themselves in the dust in the sense of their unworthiness. 'I abhor myself in dust' (Job 42:6). He that is poor in spirit looks at another's excellencies and his own infirmities. He denies not only his sins, but his duties. The more grace he has, the more humble he is, because he now sees himself a greater debtor to God.

If he can do any duty, he acknowledges it is Christ's strength more than his own.

As the ship gets to the haven
more by the benefit of the wind than the sail,
so when a Christian makes swift progress,
it is more by wind of God's Spirit
than the sail of his own endeavour.

The poor in spirit, when he acts most like a saint, confesses himself to be 'the chief of sinners'. He blushes more at the defect of his graces than others do at the excess of their sins. He dares not say he has prayed or wept. He lives, yet not he, but Christ lives in him. He labours, yet not he, but the grace of God.