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August 9, 2010

Tetelestai!  Christ's final word on the cross.  My favorite word in the Greek vocabulary. You will find it in John 19:30 and it translates "It is finished".

Christ wasn't speaking clinically about the process of His physical death, but theologically about the payment for sin!  His death paid sin's penalty on our behalf (Romans 5:8).  As Romans 6:10 and 1 Peter 3:18 both assert, this one time event will never be repeated.  The sins of those who are saved have been nailed to the cross.  Total forgiveness is ours and there remains no present or future condemnation (Romans 8:1).  Christ's death declares our pardon!  Christ's resurrection demonstrates His Lordship!  We then boldly sing with the hymn writer, My sin, O the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more praise the Lord, praise the Lord O my soul!

Does that thought fill your heart with joy?  Ignore every other blessing in your life and center on that thought alone.  Does the fact of Christ's death and resurrection flood your heart with unending, uninhibited happiness?

When Christ started the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7), He began by saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  True, lasting happiness will never come from our abilities, possessions, positions or relationships.  This sort of blessing is only granted to those who clearly see two realities, God's holiness and my sinfulness.  God is entirely holy, I am entirely wicked.  

The poor in spirit are quick to identify with Isaiah when he viewed God’s glory and cried out “woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). 

The poor in spirit readily identify with Peter after he saw Christ's power and said in Luke 5:8 "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord”.

The poor in spirit easily reject pride and declare with Paul that “nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh” (Romans 7:18).

The poor in spirit are brokenhearted that we have grieved a holy God and rightly deserve His wrath.

The poor in spirit understand how inconsistent sin is with our position as declared by Christ through His work on the cross.

The poor in spirit are crushed over ongoing sin, longing for total purity that will be fulfilled in Heaven.

The poor in spirit refuse to claim personal worth, ignore comparisons to others and recognize we deserve nothing, having earned nothing.

The poor in spirit are forsaking pride, self-assurance, self-confidence.

The poor in spirit are perpetually thankful for the grace and mercy of our patient Father.

One pastor said, "God will not pour out the blessings of happiness upon someone who is convinced they are fine, who feel they have no need. The highest place of joy is reserved for those who see themselves most clearly."  The person who admits their sin in repentance and humility is then granted the highest place in eternity – the kingdom of heaven!

Take a few minutes and carefully read through Psalm 51.  It is the repentant prayer of a man who truly was poor in spirit.  May this be the prayer of our hearts as the Holy Spirit moves us toward greater humility in the joy of salvation!

Psalm 51 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.  Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.

Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise. For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. By Your favor do good to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, In burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.

Because of His love,

Jim

Jim Stitzinger III

Grace Bible Church

www.gbcn.org | 239.354.9800

P.O. Box 110754 Naples, FL 34108