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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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We are Exhorted To Read And Obey
Deuteronomy 12:28
Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest [that which is] good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.
Joshua 1:7-9
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Psalms 119:11, 18, 105
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee…Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law…Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Proverbs. 4:20-22
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
John 5:39
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
2 Timothy 2:5
And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Revelation 1:3
Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand
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