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To My Dear Young Saints, God’s grace to you!
T
his Epistle is written primarily to engage the youth of my parish church. I have tried, over the years, to reach out to the young people by putting a SBC Ministry to Youth in place that is on their level, designed for their spiritual growth. Thus, I organized the Youth Assembly.
Understanding what God requires of them is vitally necessary to discovering their place in God’s family so they may be used of God anywhere. Therefore, I find that a good place to start is with the Beatitudes. The first Beatitude says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Each of the Beatitudes has three parts: the promise of greatness, rooted in blessedness-being chosen, and called and cherished. The key is discovering and experiencing it, and realizing the result it provides in our lives. To be poor in spirit is to acknowledge that we have a need to grow. We can admit our spiritual poverty and seek the Lord’s help. We can consider our powerlessness and be open to supernatural power. The Psalmist expressed the essence of what it means to be poor in spirit. “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears … This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of his troubles” (Psalm 34:4-6). The Hebrew word “ani” had come to mean more than material poverty. It was used for the humble and faithful. Throughout His ministry, from A. D. 27-30, Jesus taught and affirmed humility and warned against pride. He was letting them know that religious pride blocked growth in greatness. This is why he affirmed the publican and exposed the pride of the Pharisee in His incisive parable. The publican could say, “God be merciful to me,” whereas the pride of the Pharisee touted his lack of need. “I thank You that I am not as other men …” Only those who confess their need can enter the joy of the kingdom of heavenright now; it is the reign and rule of God. Abundant life now and eternal life forever are dependent on confessing our need and receiving the gift of faith. Amen. Until He Comes, I Am Serving Christ Joyfully, Bishop Dr. Wm. LaRue Dillard Parish Under-Shepherd
