If I had to imagine the opposite of meekness, I would choose a Viking. At least, this is the image that I have of the Vikings, they are the opposite of meekness. They are violent, proud, and decide everything through fighting and using a sword, or whatever they have in their hands.
We think that we still have that kind of attitude nowadays, “if you do not believe in what I believe I am going to kill you. If you do not do what I say, you will be rejected. This place is not a place for weak people. We need strong people to conquer the world. And if someone does not agree with us, or try to impede us, we will destroy them.”
Does it sound like something that you know? We have some of those attitudes in our Christian life which makes it look more like the Vikings than real Christians.
Today we will learn another Beatitude,
Matt. 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
This is what meekness means: “It means gentle, meek, the positive moral quality of dealing with people in a kind manner, with humility and consideration. Gentle is from a Greek word, which basically means mild or soft. The term sometimes was used to describe a soothing medicine or a soft breeze. It was used to describe colts and other animals whose naturally wild spirits were broken by a trainer so that they could do useful work. As a human attitude it meant being gentle of spirit, meek, submissive, quiet, tenderhearted.”
As you can see it is different from the attitude that we find in our churches nowadays. Let us see in more detail what meekness is:
1 – MEEKNESS IS PRODUCED BY GOD
The first thing that we learn in this text is that God Himself produces the true meekness. We cannot do that by our own efforts.
- Being meek is a direct result of being poor in spirit and mourning – As we have been learning, the Beatitudes are steps in a very detailed sequence.
- We have to be poor in spirit – the first step is to be poor in spirit, to recognize that we cannot do anything with our own power. It is by grace alone that we enter in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matt. 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- We have to mourn – It is important for us to understand that we have to be sorry because of our sins, for the church, and for the lost. The grace, love, and mercy of God must have priority in our lives.
Matt. 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
- Being meek is a direct result of the work of the Holy Spirit in us – When Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, we find gentleness among them. This is another translation for this word. It is the Spirit of God who will produce meekness in us.
Gal. 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
- Being meek is a direct result of a spiritual discipline – We also learn that gentleness is a result of spiritual disciple. The fruit implanted in us, must grow. It is through spiritual discipline that we will make that fruit grow.
Eph. 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Col. 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
My friend, as you can see, meekness is a result of God’s work in our lives.
Have a blessed week,
Pastor Lucas