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| Meek shall Inherit the Earth - Matthew 5:5 | Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
The logical and inevitable consequence of being aware of our poverty of spirit and mourning that poverty, is to become meek. To be meek is not to be weak or spineless, but to be submissive and humble. Recognising our poverty and mourning that poverty we have no grounds for anything but genuine humility, and glad, free submission to Christ as Lord. As the mourning of our poverty corresponds to the fulness of the Holy Spirit, so our meekness corresponds to the Lordship of Christ.<o:p></o:p>
The Lordship of Jesus Christ in the life of his people is not an optional–extra to the Christian life, but an indispensable ingredient. Paul writes, ‘For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living’ (Rom. 14:9). Jesus Christ is spoken of as ‘Saviour’, twenty five times in the New Testament, but he is described as ‘Lord’ over six hundred times. It is wonderfully true he saves, but his saving activity cannot be detached from his Lordship, and the disposition of a healthy wholesome Christian life is one of meek, humble submission to him as Lord.<o:p></o:p>
Of the meek, Jesus said, ‘they will inherit the earth’. He does not say ‘they will inherit heaven’, though they will, but ‘they will inherit the earth’. It is the person who has faced their poverty of spirit, who mourns that poverty, who submits themselves meekly to Jesus Christ on earth who discovers what life on earth is all about. Every human being living on earth, has a blueprint for their lives compiled in heaven. David wrote, ‘My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be’ (Psa. 139:15-16). Before I was ever born, David says, God had a plan compiled before my conception. This does not mean its implementation is automatic, for it is not. We may live in complete disregard of God, his ways and his will but to become a Christian involves, amongst other things, coming back under his authority and being taken up again with his interests and his purposes. It is at that point, life on earth makes sense, and every new day is filled with possibilities and potential.<o:p></o:p>
But what if we know nothing of ‘inheriting the earth’ in this way? What if our life is not lived with confidence in his purpose? Let me suggest why. We are not meek. It is the meek who inherit the earth. If we are not meek, it is because we are not mourning our condition. If we are not mourning, it is because we are not aware of our poverty of spirit. We still think we have what it takes to be what we are supposed to be, and if we do not know our poverty of spirit, we will not be happy! These are the first three ingredients of true happiness –makarios style – according to Jesus and he knew exactly what he was talking about.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,you said that you came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Today I need that abundant life and surrender to your lordship. I confess my tendency to walk in my own ways and not to depend on you or trust your word. Live the life of the Spirit throiugh me and bring glory to your name. Amen.
(Christian Focus Commentaries, submitted by A.E. Batstone) |
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Attitude Toward Our Enemies
Proverbs 24:17, 18
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
Matthew 5:44-46
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Luke 6:27-37
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Acts 7:60
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Romans 12:14, 19-20
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not…Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
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