Wednesday | Matthew 5:5
Those Who Are Meek | Matthew 5:5
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
“Meekness” is not necessarily a term that is used often in our culture today, however it is one that has profound meaning. And before we dive into what it means to be meek, we first must grasp the increase in meaning of each beatitude.
As we started with the pure in heart, our Lord Jesus doesn’t simply stop there for He continues to build upon the character of the Christian or the character we ought to walk in. The pure in heart are emptied of pride, those who mourn draw close to Christ in comfort, and as we examine those who are meek, it is important to understand what Jesus is not saying.
First, Jesus is not saying that meekness is weakness. While meekness is certainly a form of humility, it does not imply weakness. Many imply that the Christian is a “push-over” or passive, but that is not what meekness is. Secondly, it is not a compromise. For many, compromise is a way of seeking peace, but our Lord never calls us to sacrifice truth for peace.
So, then what is meekness? Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones says that it is composed of two things: “It is my attitude toward myself; and it is an expression of that in my relationships to others. A man can never be meek unless he is poor in spirit.” Additionally, Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones adds “To be truly meek means we no longer protect ourselves, because we see there is nothing worth defending. We are not on the defensive.” In short, to be meek means that you have abandoned your rights for the sake and welfare of others. Yes, meekness is humility, but with gravity that exalts Christ. Here are five evidences of meekness:
A Teachable Spirit: Are you teachable--humble in learning, in rebuke, or exhortation?
Gentle: Are you gentle--not only physically, but is your speech seasoned with grace?
Self Controlled: Do you respond with conviction and clarity or without reason?
Forgiveness: Christian, you are forgiven. Grace is pouring onto you. Do you forgive gracefully or are you embittered?
Repentant: In repentance, we adopt a posture of humility because before our sin affects anyone, we have first sinned against God himself. Is grace your only hope or is repentance dismissed by you?
Today, pursue meekness, Christian.