JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is poverty in spirit.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called His followers to have an influence in this world for the Gospel. He called His followers “salt” and “light.” It is not a coincidence that these references followed the Beatitudes.

One of those Beatitudes is found in Matthew 5:3.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

To be poor in spirit is to be aware of our bankruptcy before God. Because of our sinfulness, there is no way for us to measure up to God’s righteousness. We need His grace to be made right with God. And so, in our desperate condition, we turn to Jesus for the forgiveness we need to be reconciled to God.

God raises the humble person to have a platform for the Gospel.

Poverty in Spirit is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com