Howdy.
There’s only two good things that have come out of Kentucky........but I’m going to throw JFK some credit anyway.
In another recent thread John from Kentucky stated that Job was self-righteous. Didn’t see that one coming John. I’ve been thinking on that. My guess is ‘self-righteous’ is much more than meets the eye, or mind. I’ll bet that’s a deep study. If Ray’s written on it, specifically, give me a link, anyone.
Self-righteousness got me to thinking about Matthew 5:3:
King James Version (KJV)
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.In search, Isaiah 66:2 came up as well:
Isaiah 66:2
King James Version (KJV)
2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.contrite
adjective
1. caused by or showing sincere remorse.
2. filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent: a contrite sinner.
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Origin:
1300–50; Middle English contrit (< Anglo-French ) < Latin contrītus worn down, crushed,Poor in spirit, contrite. Interesting. I’m not talking about walking around beating ourselves up physically or emotionally, although I’ve done it, but that was more out of regret for some of the stupidest decisions in life a man could make. Everyone’s done it, I suppose, unless you’re self-righteous.
But that too, based on the many discussions here, those ‘decisions’ were of God as well. I don’t have a solid grip on that still. Must be a package deal and I’m too cheap to buy it.
But regret has to be different than poor in spirit.
If we listen to Ray, and we do, …..well some of you do….what can man do about it? I say nothing, be it that no one has free-will and ‘you didn’t choose me, I chose you’. It wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong. But, if Jesus gives us the trials to produce the ‘fruit’, then maybe the ‘poor in spirit’ is a direct result, or complimentary to the fruit. Maybe it’s not? Or then again it may be part of the ‘and I turned and saw’ package that Ray talks on, and I’ll put bet on tearing down ‘self-righteousness’ in a man is like melting down the iron under the mountains on those 1/3’s being burned and pillaged.
Just what is, exactly, ‘self-righteousness’? I think it can get deep into a man without him knowing it and I’m inclined to accept that none of it can be burned away unless we stare it in the face at some point. I’ll bet that’s hard to do, but I'll also bet doing so can put you on your knees hard, spiritually speaking.
Just what is, exactly, ‘poor in spirit’? I’m getting the feeling there’s more to poor in spirit than regret or being a good Samaritan. Even an atheist can be a good Samaritan. Like Ray said, maybe even Hitler was kind to his dog or his mother. So that’s not it.
How does a man go about defeating self-righteousness, what is it?......receiving a contrite heart and attitude, a poor spirit? What is it?
I’d like to have one of those.