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The Beatitudes: Meting Meek

Posted by Bryan

"Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth."

At a simple glance, the promise seems at best ironic and at worst sadistic.

Historically, the promise has never been realized.

Experientially, the promise is antithetical to the crushing oppression typically and commonly enforced upon the meek.

Logically, the promise makes no sense.

Yet, there it is. Unashamedly, unabashedly. Jesus promises that the meek will receive an incredible inheritance.

The world population is estimated around 6.6 billion (with a "B") and growing. The vast majority of the global populace will inherit nothing in this life. The fact that you are reading this online means that you are among the elite who has a far greater chance of receiving an inheritance of some sort (if even a pittance by your own standards) than will virtually 99 percent of the rest of the world.

The Greek word for inheritance refers to the reception of one's allotted portion. This verse, as Macarthur points out, is an almost-direct restating of Psalm 37:11 that says, "the meek shall inherit the land. " These scriptures are an answer to the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people? "

As far as God is concerned, the only "good people" are those who walk by faith in Jesus Christ - and they are not good in and of themselves, but the fact that they are "in Christ." And to those people, Jew or Gentile, they are given the promise that in time, the wicked people will be no more, and the righteous will receive their allotted portion.

It is difficult to comprehend a world without wickedness. A world without gossip, slander, hate, murder, lies, pride, anger, jealousy, and manipulation seems unimaginable. Yet, 1 Corinthians 6:9 clearly says that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:1 lets out the secret that there will be a new heaven a new earth, and a new Jerusalem. Grasp this reality - heaven is eternal life! Heaven will not be boring! One reason people struggle to comprehend how wonderful heaven will be is because it is too often perceived as an extension of this life's experience. There will be no sin, no self, no rebellion, no pride to hamper your joy in eternal life. You will have responsibilities in heaven, you will have relationships, you will have experiences; you will have LIFE!

This is what is promised to the meek -- an inheritance of this new earth!

However, to receive this inheritance, there is an insistence - meekness. Meekness is a commanded prerequisite to receive what God promises:

• Zephaniah 2:3 - Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger.


• Psalm 149:4 - For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.


• James 1:21-22 - Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

An interesting relationship exists in this: the only way to live the Spirit-filled life is to be meek and the only way to truly be meek is by living in the powerful Spirit of God. Remember, to be meek means to not think of yourself, which means to be free from pride. Conversely, the only way to not think of yourself is to instead focus your thoughts, your intent, and your actions upon the Lord and others.

Meekness is an absolute requirement to accomplish anything in this life, as you await your inheritance in the next:

• It is the only way you can witness - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15)


• It's the only way to show mercy - Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (Colossians 3:12-13)


• It is the only way to live wisely - Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13)


• It is the only way to walk in unity with others - I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to have a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)


• It is the only way to look at someone as they truly are - Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Philippians 2:3)

Meekness so important to God because only meekness glorifies God. Pride seeks its own glory. God is intent on glorifying Himself because it is the only way people come to Him. God is consumed with glorifying Himself through us because He is consumed with reconciling Himself with the lost - and this is the way He has chosen to do it.

For those who, in meekness - in the absence of pride - claim the promises of God (mourning over their sin through spiritual poverty ) to them will God give them the inheritance of the earth.

June 21, 2007 9:56 AM | TrackBack