I like this one: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." It reminds me of the situation with Jesus when and why He ate with tax collectors and sinners. Or perhaps maybe the prayer in Luke 18:9-14. I pray that I may take hold of all the attitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. Romans 10:1-4 - Jesus Christ is the sinners only righteousness. Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling.
By the way in Matthew 9:9-13 (Where the dispute about Jesus eating with Tax collectors and sinners is also given) You do not ever want to be the Pharisees (who have no need of a saviour). The Contrast between the Pharisees and those who were tax collectors and sinners is not that the Pharisees were well and the tax collectors and sinners were not. It is that the Pharisees in while they were doing "good' things they did not see their own need of a Saviour to redeem them upon the cross and so be given Christ righteousness through faith in Christ alone. It was only the Tax collectors and sinners who know their need of saving. For the Pharisees Jesus finds no place in them to stay. This is significant - for it shows 1. the Pharisees were lost (we see them as men who are saved or at good status). They were lost, that means there will be those who do not see their need of a Eternal Divine Saviour, but will continue in their pride of self-righteousness. What to do with them? (I suppose just deal with them as if you were trying to witness to anyone else) 2. Christ finds his home in those whom have humbled themselves in obedience to God's only remedy of Salvation. It is in them who are blessed forever more with the presence of God - to worship and sing His praises like that of the Seraphims in Isaiah 6.
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