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Meekness and Mercy - part 1 0f 3(Amplified Bible) Is it not to and through the meek that God extends His mercy? Who then are the meek? And what is this meekness which must be imparted into our hearts and minds by the Spirit of Christ? Meekness can be identified by submission, yielding, compliance, humility, mildness, long-suffering, and unpretentiousness. While the world equates meekness with weakness, God views it as a manifestation of the character of His Son who urged his followers to, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest – relief, ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet – for your souls” {Matt 11:29}. To the carnal mind, will and emotions (the soul), meekness is both wearisome and contrary to the advancement of self. And indeed it is, for through training in meekness the soul of man learns to relinquish all self-centered desires and personal rights to the will of the Father. “Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus – Let Him be your example in humility—Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God…did not think this equality with the God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained” {Phil 2:6}. Is it not the “I,” “me,” and “mine” focus of our lives which causes us to grasp as “ours” those things with which the Lord blesses us. By misinterpreting “stewardship” for “ownership,” we misappropriate and withhold from God that which is His. Meekness demands more than “self” is willing to relinquish. It requires that we hear and receive instruction, correction and warning from the Lord through the vessels of His choosing. It requires that we submit to the requirements of repentance, acknowledging and turning away from our wrong. It requires asking forgiveness and making restitution as the Holy Spirit directs. In His mercy, God grants us space to repent. “[The time for repentance is speeding by like chaff whirled before the wind!] Therefore consider, before God’s decree brings forth [the curse upon you], before the time [to repent] is gone like the drifting chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon you, yes before the day of the wrath of the Lord comes upon you!” {Zeph 2:2}. For those who desire to know the Lord and who yield to His dealings, He extends promises of hope. “But the meek [in the end] shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” {Ps 37:11}. “Seek the Lord – inquire for Him, inquire of Him, and require Him [as the foremost necessity of your life] – all you humble of the land, who have acted in compliance with His revealed will and have kept His commandments; seek righteousness, seek humility – inquire for them, required them [as vital]. It may be you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger” {Zeph 2:3}. “The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord…” {Isa 29:19}. The meek do not seek their own vengeance or retaliation: “Do not say, I will repay evil; wait (expectantly) for the Lord, and He will rescue you” {Pro 20:22}.“God…gives grace [continually] to the lowly – those who are humble-minded [enough to receive it]” {James 4:6} Those who are meek receive God’s fellowship and revelation: “The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear – revere and worship – Him, and He will show them His covenant, and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning.”{Ps 25:14} Throughout Scripture we are encouraged to be both submissive and obedient to the Lord. Reluctant obedience or obedience which has become perfunctory “religious service” indicates a lack of genuine submission and worship. Of those in bondage to man’s laws and religious traditions, the prophet Isaiah wrote: “…this people draw near Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts and minds far from Me, and their fear and reverence for Me are a commandment of men that is learned by repetition [without any thought of the meaning]” {Isa 29: 13} “Who is the man who reverently fears and worships the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that he should choose” {Psa 25: 12}. Reverent fear and worship produce joyful submission of heart, mind and will to the revealed will of God. Paul admonished the Ephesians to “walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called – with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service, Living as becomes you – with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowance because you love one another” {Eph 4:1-2 }. Only those who maintain a meek spirit can “Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.” {4:3} As we willingly obey the moment by moment leading of the Spirit of Christ, we increasingly manifest the magnificent power of His meekness and mercy. -Ruth French July Newsletter 2003 | Powerful Prayers | Christian Education | Pastor's Journal July 2002 A Harlot's Torment | Faith and the End | Meekness and Mercy part 1 of 3 |
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