“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” (Galatians 5:22-24).
What we see in the above passage are the nine virtues that comprise the “fruit of the Spirit”. Collectively, these demonstrate the works accomplished by the Spirit of God, as opposed to the “works of the flesh”. (Galatians 5:19-21). It would behoove us to note the qualifier in this passage. It confirms who we belong to. Specifically, it makes reference to those who both identify with Christ and are owned by Christ: the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Anyone who professes to be a genuine follower of Christ, servant of Christ, disciple of Christ or born-again Christian, their “walk” (not talk) must be the expression of a CRUCIFIED LIFE. The apostle Paul illustrates what that looks like, and in conjunction with how it might be best described: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20).
“Meekness”, being among those virtues that comprise the fruit of the Spirit, will take center-stage in today’s message my dear brothers and sisters, and justifiably so. Its usage also occurs with its counterpart and complement, “gentleness”: “Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:”
(2 Corinthians 10:1).
As expressed by Jesus, Himself: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). To be “meek” and “lowly in heart” is to be like Jesus. Jesus literally magnifies the virtue of meekness. He is the author and sustainer of a virtue that one must seek relentlessly. It implies a heart that has been humbled and is under submission. In other words, a gentle and quiet spirit of willingness and cooperation is now officially at work and is of untold value: "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." (1 Peter 3:4).
So, we must go to work, keep working and encourage working. The priority of work is as follows: first for the Lord, and then for others. Please take note of the fact that I didn't include ME, because I am number three (3) in the order of precedence. Otherwise, meekness can't and won't work.
SCRIPTURE contains cases whereby hearts that refuse to be humbled, are held hostage by the havoc that pride and arrogance wreaks: “This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the Lord of hosts.” (Zephaniah 2:10). Unless meekness is magnified, we see Almighty God at work throughout SCRIPTURE orchestrating the utter and total collapse and elimination of authority figures, people, families, communities, cultures and nations! A shocking but inevitable end when God's commandments and rule of law continue to be trifled with, undermined or disobeyed.
In other words, when that which has been created, perpetrates open, outright and ongoing rebellion against the CREATOR, condemnation and desolation await and will serve as a fitting end: "Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood." (Isaiah 10:15). I deem it warranted to belabor the point, and the prophet Zephaniah substantiates this by issuing a stern admonishment in defense of those who have chosen to magnify meekness: "Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." (Zephaniah 2:3).
The virtue of meekness is associated with select images in the physical world we live in. Either all, or most of us, have heard the expression “meek as a lamb”. Immediately, this will more often than not conjure up connotations of weakness, helpless, timidity, fear, insecurity, submission or lack of confidence. These, among others, would typically describe characteristics of a person who demonstrates lamb-like qualities. By worldly standards, such a person would fall woefully short of what's deemed admirable, acceptable or even something to aspire towards.
As was alluded to, the foregoing example is only valid in the physical realm. The real power of meekness transcends the physical and enters into the spiritual realm. The former existing only temporarily, but the latter eternally: “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
The virtue of meekness is the cornerstone of peace, love, empowerment and any and every form of sacrificial service. From that perspective, I'll convey what this often misunderstood and misapplied term means. In the Greek, this word is translated from the original word “praus”. In short, it's origin is associated with wild horses that were captured while roaming hills and mountains. They were powerful and untamed, but some were captured and tamed or trained for military campaigns. They were then referred to as "praus" or meek, not weak. The power of these beasts was harnessed, so that they could be rendered useful and effective in battle. Thus, it was now under the control of its new master and rendered "meek". Meekness can thus be defined as "Power under Control".
The Bible teaches us that the power of the spirit of meekness was resident and revealed in our risen Savior! He was the embodiment of meekness, and so He walked, and in complete submission to God the Father. Let us never forget, that Jesus Christ possesses more power than anyone who will ever walk the face of the earth: "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." (John 8:28-29). And He calls us to walk accordingly.
In conclusion, the second most notable figure in the Bible who personified the virtue of meekness was Moses. And according to the truth of the Word of God, he qualified as the meekest man on the planet! Let us all strive to please the God all creation with the same passion and desire to magnify meekness as did His servant Moses. As God cares for the weak, He empowers the meek: "(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)" (Numbers 12:3).
It's not a question of power or prosperity, but a granting of permission and acceptance by God to assume a position of privilege and sacrificial service! In order to ensure that meekness and gentleness precedes us, it is essential that we choose to permit the Lord Jesus Christ to lead us!
"Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners: the Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:" (Psalm 146:5-8).
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