I think that we have all met that person in our lives that is unable to bear challenge in life and use their shortcomings to justify unfriendly behavior. You know the one who can go from zero to the kettle is boiling over and then provoke others around them in anger. Just the other day while I was shopping in a store, there was a man that was clearly angry and was wanting to provoke others around him. Quickly realizing that I was the only male in the store my body started to go in defensive mode and then here he comes around the corner to my isle and we make eye contact. He began to posture like a guard dog when someone has violated the perimeter. I could feel the hair stand up on the back of my neck as he approached in an aggressive manner, It was in that moment when my body was preparing for a potential danger, my mind was saying bring your strength under control and restrain yourself to the obedience of God.
To break the tension I nodded to this person and asked how he was doing, while praying to the Lord for this man. I responded to this man in a spirit of gentleness, even though as he walked by, he maintained the death stare, eye to eye letting me know he was going to be the alpha dog.
I thank God for his intervention in this situation and that through Christ, Jesus that He has changed my life with the ability to be gentle and meek with others and controlled when provoked. Before Jesus entered my life fully, in which my family can witness too, prior to salvation in Christ, I would of dealt with this situation in a much more direct manner. Yet thanks be to God in Christ I have been given a new heart.
“Blessed are the Meek”… to be meek does not mean that a Christian is to be a pushover in life and is passive to everything that comes across our path in life, but it is a gentleness that works from within a person. The meek are those who are like Jesus and are “gentle and humble at heart”. One without a vengeful spirit… One who realizes that they themselves can not produce an inner gentleness unless they receive the mercy and Grace of God, forgiven of their own sins in Jesus Christ, and receive the power from on high which is the Holy Spirit. Meekness is not an outward act of works to pat oneself on the back, but comes from God, working from the inside which then produces fruit outwardly in ones life.
The meek do not strive in their own strength to overcome others or events in life, but trust in God to direct the outcomes of their life. The Lord says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace” (Psalms 37: 7-11 ESV).
As Christians our ultimate outcome is in Christ Jesus. In the now we have peace and assurance of salvation by grace through faith, it is a gift of God… and at His return the wicked will be removed from their place and those in faith will be glorified to the glory of God. The world may mock Godly meekness now, but they will not be able to miss the peace, discernment, and control even under tribulation that one in Christ has… not by their own power and strength, but by the power of the Spirit of God. There are only two outcomes at the Lord’s return… “the meek shall inherit” (Matthew 5:5)… “but the wicked shall perish” (Psalms 36:20 ESV).
Meekness is a characteristic of a born again believer as the Holy Spirit sanctifies the believer conforming them into the image of Christ. Is this Christ like gentleness in you? Listen to what Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11: 28-30). Jesus is calling you to come to him, so don’t hold back, today is the day that the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it… receive Him and he will give you rest. Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up!
Please comment below and tell me your story of how Jesus has changed your life from the inside out.
Copyright 2023 JL