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Matthew 5:3,10
3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
and
and
10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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The kingdom is what we bring action to by our faith in the Truth. Jesus brought the truth, as was a living example of the Truth, and is eternally the authority as the Truth. The kingdom, is the eternal conscience of perfect love. It is the same here through us in our service, as it is in heaven eternally. It has been here as long as since Adam. But what has changed since Christ arrived is; we now know the kingdom and the fruits of the Spirit, are a righteousness that comes through our imperfect state, not, because we exist. We also therefore; acknowledge righteousness is of the Father alone. This is how we glorify Him by His Truth.
The 'poor in spirit', include myself. I am not filled with faith. I, like Job, have to have everything stripped from me before I rely on faith to act. I first act on pride in myself, I then act in envy of others, I have also acted on my ego, and my vanity. So, God knows this, and knows I want to put Him first. So what is standing between us, he removes. And from this, what little faith I have in the end, is what I rely upon. And everytime it bears fruit that honors Him by His Truth. I serve, but at the expense of my reliance of myself. I am 'poor in spirit'
The 'rich in spirit' are those who, unlike me, learned to lean on faith to serve others with the fruits of the kingdom. They recognize they cannot do things on their own that will bring honor to the Truth. So they always seek by the kingdom first, moving forward. They have learned, or were raised, or just naturally know that to path of holiness, is having to put themselves aside and have instead the guidance of the Holy Spirit work through them. The 'rich in spirit', are faith filled, and their prayers are more filles with thanks then with requests.
The kingdom provides for those who would act lovingly towards another. This does not mean that they approach the kingdom by the Spirit of Truth. Other cultures and religions do not recognize that righteousness is of the Father alone, and so they credit themselves for holiness. When this occurs, it bears bad fruit. We see moralities and judgements made. We see conviction and bias. The kingdom is for all mankind who exist in a day. But, only if they seek by the kingdom recognizing the truth Jesus expressed, do the have the humility to understand, what is holy is only found when denying ourselves. It is a sufferance known only to Christians who believe the Son of God, ascended and left us the Holy Spirit to guide us into the kingdom to bear good fruit through it.
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Matthew 6:33
33
But seek first His kingdom and (in doing so, recognize) His righteousness, and (then), all these things will be added to you as well.
But seek first His kingdom and (in doing so, recognize) His righteousness, and (then), all these things will be added to you as well.
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Righteousness is alien to the world. Outside of the garden, righteousness has only existed in the acts of the faithful. It is the same to this very day. So those who in faith, have righteousness act through them, are not awarded, but instead are isolated from what is considered normal behavior. The are judged, feared, hated, and persecuted. Because selflessness is fearless, and to the self involved, the selflessness of faith seems like madness.
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Ephesians 6:19
19
Pray for me, that whatever I speak, words may be given to me so that I can speak fearlessly make known the mystery of the Kingdom.
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Mysteries are things left unexplained. Although Christ Jesus brought us an understanding of what the kingdom is, the mystery exists for all those who just assume righteousness as of themselves. The mystery is brought into understanding, when the truth is known. That truth is a sufferance known only to Christians who believe the Son of God, ascended and left us the Holy Spirit to guide us into the kingdom to bear good fruit through it. That is, "words may be given to me", is an expression of the Holy Spirit guiding our hearts and minds to serve with holiness that which the kingdom provides through us.
Whether poor or rich in spirit, the kingdom of heaven provides the faithful with completeness, a fullness, an over abundance which is greater than what self can supply in every case. The key to this understanding is in this:
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Mark 4:30-32
30
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?
31
It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.
32
Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
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And when we have faith that we are being led by the Holy Spirit to act on what the kingdom provides:
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Luke 17:6
6
He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.
He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.
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That parable speaks of what is natural does not overcome what faith describes. Faith makes the impossible; possible. So we overcome ourselves, and we learn to face what has been placed in front of us with faithfulness; moment to moment.
Do we get rich in faith over the course of time? I don't think so personally. And I say that because we are imperfect because God wanted us to be imperfect, so we could then recognize His unseen perfection through our faith. I think each of us exists as the challenges our souls must overcome. And that being said, it is harder for some than for others, but those who have developed in the storm, end up with the strongest roots.
Give thanks. Have faith, Seek first by the kingdom. God is love.
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