Meekness

Aggressive Christianity

Ken

“Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5 NKJV). Jesus was the epitome of meekness. He endured all the slander against being an illegitimate child, born out of wedlock by Mary without defending Himself, but when His Father’s House was dishonored by the money changers, He defended His Father by driving them out of the Temple grounds. “Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12-13). 

How does the meekness of Christ square with His statement about John’s ministry?

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). 

Is violence, or the use of physical force, necessary to establish the Kingdom of God? 

No.   

The Zealots and other sects seemed to think so, but that is not what Jesus meant. He was seeking a Spiritual Kingdom now, and an Earthly Kingdom later in the Millennium. “Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone” (John 6:15). 

So, what did Jesus mean with His remark, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12)? From the time of the ministry of John the Baptist until the ministry of Christ, violent opposition came from Herod and those rejecting the baptism of John; also, those who were ready for the King’s advent were straining themselves to the utmost [violence] to enter that kingdom. John the Baptist was the prophesied OT voice crying, “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3). If they understood not the prophecy of the King’s herald, then they would reject the herald’s Messiah. “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it” (Luke 16:16). 

What are the aggressive trademarks of the Holy Spirit? 

First, ALIVE. The Holy Spirit is anything but inert. He is everything that God is, and not a lifeless gas. “But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God” (Acts 5:3-4). Likewise, Spirit filled Christians are also not lifeless, but living the life of Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). 

Second, POWERFUL. The Holy Spirit is a brooding power, just as the “Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2) in the beginning. He is the power, wherever God’s power can be found in both the natural and supernatural. “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power” (1Corinthians 4:20). Likewise, Christians have been promised the energizing power of the Holy Spirit to witness for Christ, primarily to convert the sinner, who witnesses the dynamic Christ powered life being lived in disciples. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). 

Third, OPPORTUNISTIC. The Holy Spirit is that Spirit of Christ, which finds opportunity seeking out ways for the salvation of sinners. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Likewise, Christians make it their business to find ways to reach those around them for Christ. “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). 

Fourth, RELENTLESS. The Spirit of Christ relentlessly seeks to the uttermost His prey, which are the souls of man. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Likewise, Paul was also relentless in his delivery of the Gospel message, so much so that large gatherings of even Gentiles sought to stop him. “Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands” (Acts 19:26). 

Fifth, INVASIVE. The Holy Spirit is not a physical agent, such as a gas, which spreads out and dissipates, but He is the agent of God’s power purposely targeting and invading an objective unbeknownst to man. “Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them” (Acts 16:6-7). Likewise, when Christians have been impressed by God — the LORD told me to do this — who are we to object? [Unless they say they are being ‘directed’ to do something forbidden by Scripture, such as, worshiping someone other than the LORD.] “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them” (Acts 16:9-10). 

Sixth, IMPORTUNATE. The Holy Spirit is importunate, demanding, and insistent. He may quietly appear to have given up, without having given up. The definition of importunate is “urgent or persistent in solicitation, sometimes annoyingly so.” In Christ’s parable of the widow and the unjust judge, think of the widow as depicting the importunity of the Holy Spirit, and the Father playing the part of the unjust judge, of course, for dramatic purposes only. 

“1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Get justice for me from my adversary. 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 Then the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8). 

It is apparent that we are to be importunate as the Holy Spirit is. 

Seventh, VICTORIOUS. The Holy Spirit will always be victorious in the end, as shall we. Even the NT opponents of the disciples of Jesus confessed the foolhardiness of fighting God. “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39). Likewise, the Christian characteristic of “victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1John 5:4), was demonstrated by Stephen, the first Christian martyr, in his last words. “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:56). 

Father, may we be meek like Jesus. Help us to exhibit the marks of the aggressiveness of a Spirit filled disciple. Cause us not to be confused with the aggression of the world, which promotes not Jesus. Enliven Your people by Your Spirit that we may be used to bring in Your Kingdom. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen.

In Search of Meekness

Ken

Meekness is a needy receptivity to God, being very open to receive from Yahweh. “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 KJV). Not so strangely, the fiery giver of the Law, “Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). Driving the moneychangers out of the Temple, Jesus previously said, “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” (Matthew 11:29). Meekness is most commonly viewed by the world as humbly patient, quiet in nature, overly submissive, or compliant. Bible study aids will do better, pointing out the meek are not proud, haughty, supercilious, self-assertive, low in rank or position, but favored by God. But, why does God take especial pleasure in the meek? Jesus already said it. When we take His yoke upon us (Matthew 11:29), like two oxen joined for labor, we will “learn” (11:29) of Him, as we come into step with Him, we become like Him, for He is meek. 

If meekness is a needy receptivity to God, being very open to receive from Yahweh, then all, who would enter the Kingdom of God, must be meek. “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Notice how often the concept of God’s judgment is discussed around the words “meekness” or “meek” (KJV). Instead of meekness, modern translations most often use the word “humble.” For the world, meekness means weakness, but not with God. “When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah” (Psalm 76:9). “But with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked” (Isaiah 11:4). 

(The following is a slightly longer read. Scan ahead to preview.)

Meekness biblically approximates the concept of willingness, as in, willingness to do the will of God is to be a Christian. Meekness has the advantage of being the Almighty’s choice, which comes with numerous promises. What won’t God do for the meek? (1) God gives the meek satisfaction that the world can’t get, i.e., “The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek Him: your heart shall live for ever” (Psalm 22:26). (2) God grants the meek guidance and teaching about His way and how to make correct decisions, i.e., “The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way” (Psalm 25:9). (3) Dominion over the earth in peace is granted to the meek, i.e., “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5). (4) Lifting up the meek, while casting down the wicked, is promised by the LORD, i.e., “The LORD lifteth up the meek: He casteth the wicked down to the ground” (Psalm 147:6). (5) Salvation is granted to the meek, because they please Him, i.e., “For the LORD taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation” (Psalm 149:4). (6) Joy and rejoicing belong to the meek, for who wouldn’t rejoice with all of God’s promises? “The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 29:19). (7) Good tidings, binding up, liberty, and release are appointed for the meek, i.e., “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me; because the LORD hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).

NT meekness is also a needy receptivity to God, being very open to receive from Christ. What does Christ expect of the meek? (1) Jesus meekly has presented Himself as Messiah the King to the meek, i.e., “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass” (Matthew 21:5). (2) Christ values highly the gentle and quiet spirit of a meek wife, i.e., “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” (1Peter 3:4). (3) Christ expects us to restore fallen brothers and sisters meekly, i.e., “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). (4) Christ expects us to meekly instruct others to gain their repentance, i.e., “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” (2Timothy 2:25). (5) Christ expects us to speak gently, meekly to everyone, not seeking confrontation, i.e., “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:2). (6) Christ expects a meekness of wisdom from our lifestyle, i.e., “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew [shō] out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13). (7) Christ expects us to meekly answer anyone why we hope in Christ. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1Peter 3:15).

Father, grant to us a meek and quiet spirit, and may we learn to value meekness as highly as You do. Cause Your Spirit to work in us the fruit of meekness. Multiply it within us, stay not Your hand. Increase our understanding of meekness. May Your people abound in meekness so the “earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14). In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen and amen.