The Meek

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF BELIEVERS

This is the third in an occasional series of articles reflecting on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12. What kind of people are we to be? What attitudes should mark those who have been truly born again? Jesus calls each of the beatitudes “blessed.”  To be blessed like this is to be in a state of joyful well-being with God.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

 THE MEEK

Believers are to be meek.  They are to be characterized by gentleness, humility, and consideration toward others. Jesus possessed this attribute: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle (or meek; same Greek word as Matthew 5:5) and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mat. 11:29). Possessing meekness does not equate to weakness or lack of resolve. Meekness toward others comes from an awareness of God, living with a deep trust in Him, and willingness to put others before oneself. Peter urges believing wives to model meekness in their homes: “Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle (or meek) and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious” (1 Pe. 3:4).  Meekness is to be a distinguishing fruit in the lives of disciples of Jesus.

SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH

This is true in at least two ways. First, only those who are meek will be content in the Lord’s providence and provision. Human sinful nature is drawn to consumerism, materialism, and personal power. Christ sets us free from these misplaced aspirations. Therefore, Paul could describe the Christian life as “having nothing, yet possessing everything” (2 Cor. 6:10).  Second, this promise will be fulfilled in a way we can barely imagine. After the return of Jesus, God’s people will dwell with him forever in the new earth (Isa. 65, Rev. 21). When we receive the inheritance of the newly recreated earth, we will rejoice that we did not squander this life trying to gain the whole world and forfeit our souls (Mk. 8:36).

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Is meekness a characteristic of your life? What would you family and friends say? Are you fertilizing your soul with contentment in God?  Like the prodigal son are you demanding your inheritance now, or are you meek while waiting for that which is exponentially better?

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Those Who Mourn

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF BELIEVERS

This is the second in a new series of articles reflecting on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12. What kind of people are we to be? What attitudes should mark those who have been truly born again? Jesus calls each of the beatitudes “blessed.”  To be blessed like this is to be in a state of well-being with God.

THOSE WHO MOURN

We do not gravitate to mourning. Our world places a high value on laughter, comedy, entertainment, and above all – fun. Mourning is not fun. The mourning Jesus has in mind is possessing grief over our personal sins and that of the world around us. As individual believers we recognize that our sins are wicked and shameful. Like Isaiah, when we appreciate the glory and holiness of the Lord, we confess our uncleanness (Isa. 6:1-5). We mourn now as we anticipate being fully and finally conformed to the image of God the Son (Rom. 8:29). Beyond our personal sins, we are also grieved by the sins of our church, our community, and all humanity. When we hear reports, or experience firsthand, sins like cruelty, murder, theft, prejudice, unbelief, injustice, immorality, blasphemy, or pride - we mourn.

SHALL BE COMFORTED

Those in Christ who carry this burden of grief for sin have this hope – they shall be comforted! One day the weeping will come to an end. This comfort begins with the certain promise that Jesus’s death fully satisfies God’s wrath toward the sins of all who receive him by faith. This truth germinates our comfort and joy as we hope in God.  In Christ we are given the power to wage war against the very sins over which we grieve. Without mourning our sin and believing that Christ has paid for it, we will never resist any sin. We are comforted as we see the fruit of the Spirit growing in us as we make progress in the pursuit of holiness. Then the day will come when all mourning will end in the new heaven and earth: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Rev. 21:4).

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Is mourning a characteristic element of your life?  In the last few hours or days, what sin, in your life or in the world around you, has caused you to grieve? A regular part of our weekly worship gathering is a time of recognizing sin in our own lives and in the world around us. This steady regimen of lament should not be limited to Sundays but should infiltrate our days. Mourning weans us from the titillation of the world and cultivates a hunger for the true comfort promised by our Lord.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Poor in Spirit

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3  

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF BELIEVERS
This is the first in a new series of articles reflecting on the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-12. The Lord opens his most famous sermon, The Sermon on the Mount, with a listing of characteristics that are to distinguish his disciples. All of us will do well to carefully reflect on this list and give attention to our own lives.  What kind of people are we to be? What attitudes should mark those who have been truly born again? In stark contrast to worldly reasoning, Jesus calls each of these marks “blessed.”  To be blessed like this is to be in a state of well-being with God that belongs to those who respond in faith to Jesus.   

POOR IN SPIRIT
Being poor in spirit is the first of these characteristics. Just as the fuel gauge in a car helps the driver to recognize a deficiency in fuel, so God’s word helps us to see our need of God. The phrase means to have personal knowledge of spiritual emptiness. To be poor in spirit is to be humble and acutely aware the need for God. This attitude is displayed through repentance of sin.  Truly knowing God by receiving his grace in the gospel produces a disciple who is poor in spirit. Jesus says the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit. The citizens of God’s eternal heavenly kingdom will not be those who are arrogant, independent, and unrepentant. Those who lived this life with no real need for God will never see God’s kingdom. Heaven will be only populated with those who are poor in spirit.  

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you poor in spirit? Do you think you will enter heaven? On what basis? Jesus wants us to know that, in ourselves, no one has the spiritual resources nor expertise to live a life that is pleasing to God. One of the most insidious, dangerous qualities of human sinful nature is pride.  Personal pride is found at the core of an unbelieving mind and hardened heart. Only when God graciously and miraculously redeems a human soul is anyone able to walk with genuine poverty of spirit. This transformation produces the humble repentance that marks true believers. Only with this poverty of spirit can anyone truly anticipate entering the joy of heaven.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas