Being gentle or being meek is not a characteristic that is well promoted in our society today. According to our world today, the more we assert and express ourselves, the more we display our strength, our power, our authority, our abilities --- the more likely we are to succeed.
One problem with the English word meek is that it rhymes with weak, and we tend to link the two words together. Some dictionaries even define meek as “too submissive; easily imposed on; spineless; spiritless.” According to our world today, if you are MEEK… you are WEAK.
To understand the context of “Blessed are the gentle” in the Sermon on the Mount it is important to know that the word “blessed” also means “happy.”
Jesus started the first Beatitude with “blessed are the poor in spirit...” Here, we see our need for God. We admit our spiritual bankruptcy because of our sins. We have nothing to be proud of before God.
The next thing the Lord said was: “blessed are those who mourn…” Accepting that we are “poor in spirit” leads us to repent or “mourn.” Recognizing how much we have offended God when we sin, we mourn!
In other Bible translations, the word “meek” or “humble” is used. The idea is that -- a person will have joy if he or she is gentle. The blessing is coming from God’s perspective, not our own. It refers to spiritual prosperity, not necessarily to an earthly happiness.
The first two Beatitudes deal with our relationship with God, now we have to deal with our relationship with others. To love God is to love others. The Apostle John says “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, is a liar! For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
When it comes to our inheritance from God he sends us the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts and give us the assurance that our inheritance is secured, it’s sealed and no one can snatch us away from the Father’s hand. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become co-heirs with Him in the Father’s inheritance – we become children of God. We should therefore ACT like one.
Gentleness is not just a moral virtue. It’s a Christian grace. You are able to demonstrate gentleness because God gave it to you first.
Some people tried to pretend that they are humble or meek. They end up showing false humility. You cannot fake genuine meekness or gentleness. The Bible says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Gentleness is a natural fruit of being a Christian. Show me someone who claims that he is a Christian but who is arrogant and proud and always angry and mean --- and I can tell you he is not what he claims he is. A true follower of Christ is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and exhibits the Fruit of the Spirit as a way of life.
As we mature as a person and in faith, the more we understand that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
We commit a SIN if we are not gentle or if meekness is not seen in us.
The Bible says “speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:2)
GENTLENESS is not only a virtue but a grace from God. On our own, we cannot do it. But with the Holy Spirit living in us… we can exercise humility or gentleness especially in times when it doesn’t make sense.
Being gentle is a very important characteristic of a believer not only for ourselves or in keeping fellowship with other believers but more importantly in sharing the Gospel to others. Believers are called to share the gospel message with gentleness and meekness because you know why? Being gentle draws people to Christ!
I will be very difficult to introduce someone to Jesus if the person sharing the Gospel is arrogant and proud. No one will listen!
We can persevere even if life is tough because we look forward to God’s promise.
I always look at the phrase “inheriting the Earth” in two ways.
First, it pertains to a future inheritance. Those who are humble, gentle or meek, being a true child of God, will inherit the new earth as described in the book of Revelation. This promise of heaven and the culmination of our sufferings here on earth is our ultimate hope against this world.
Second, it’s an inheritance at the present time, right here, right now. I believe God will bless and multiply the work and ministry of those people who are gentle or meek. We are heirs in the kingdom of God and citizenship to that kingdom is available here on earth. Not only that… He supplies our needs and oftentimes He even blesses us with things that we don’t need.
I know we all struggle with humility. That is why we need a role model.
Jesus Himself exemplified how to be truly gentle and humble in life.
Keep your calm and be gentle!
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Prayer
Wherever you are, whatever you situation you may be -- you need the love of Jesus in your life. Please say this prayer sincerely from your heart:
Father God, I confess all my sins to you today. Please forgive me. Today, I open my heart to your Son Jesus Christ. I accept Him in my life as my Saviour and as my Lord. May the Holy Spirit come to my life and make me the kind of person you want me to be. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.
The above article is an excerpt from a sermon delivered at WCCC Richmond during its service on Sunday, April 17, 2016
I apologize if there are grammatical and spelling errors. I also apologize if I have missed acknowledging or making proper references to my sources, if any. as it is purely unintentional.
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www.wordchristiancommunity.com
