RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-04-01	Blessed Are The Meek (Mt.5:5)
		Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Jesus starts by saying the state of the meek is “blessed.” The blessedness is from God's perspective, not our own. It is a spiritual prosperity, not necessarily an earthly happiness. One will be “blessed” if they are first “meek”. The Greek word translated “meek” is praeis and refers to mildness, gentleness of spirit. When the Word judges us, it lays us bare. It is vital to be quiet and meek and admit the Word is right in its evaluation of us (Ja.1:21). Jas 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. Meekness is humility toward God and others (Ja.3:13). Jas 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. Meekness is having the right or power to do something but refraining for the benefit of someone else. Meekness is the opposite of timidity. The quietness of meekness is the result of one's trust in the Lord. Whereas the quietness of timidity is the result of one's lack of trust. The meek is quiet when he is reviled or treated unjustly. But he will boldly speak to declare transgressions (Is.58:1) or to defend truth openly. Paul describes the idea of meekness in Ephesians 4:1-3. Eph 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, Eph 4:2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, Eph 4:3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. He is saying to be humble, patient, and gentle, bearing with one another in love. Our attitude is toward what is best for the other person. Jesus models the humility of meekness (Ph.2:6-8). Though Jesus is the very nature of God, He could do whatever He wants, but, for our sake, He submitted to death on a cross. That is the ultimate in meekness. Jesus described Himself as “meek and lowly” (Mt.11:29). Yet He defied the Pharisees, overturned the tables of the money changers in the Temple. He never backed down from wielding the truth. Moses is said to be very meek, even above all men (Nu.12:3). Num 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) Yet when he saw the golden calf and the dancing, he cast the stone tablets and broke them (Ex.32:19). Believers are called to share the Gospel message in meekness (1Pe.3:15). 1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Meekness helps us to share the gospel more effectively to others. Meekness seems to know when and when not to speak, and what to speak about. It involves looking after what is in the best interest of other people above self-interests (Ph.2:4). Php 2:4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

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