Blessed are the meek
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.In beatitude #1 Jesus described Christians as being poor in spirit due to a realization of their sin and unrighteousness. In #2 he says that Christians mourn and repent with a Godly sorrow due to being poor in spirit. In this the third beatitude Jesus blesses them as being meek. Christians realize their sinful state before God. They hate and mourn their sin and feel grateful that God’s grace has redeemed them from sins power and penalty. This thankfulness and inner peace causes an attitude of meekness and a resolve to endeavor to follow Christ with a heart and mind that are focused on heavenly things rather than worldly treasures. The blessing is that they will inherit the earth and this is their hearts desire. They are humbled because they have been forgiven and pardoned by the God that created the universe. This knowledge does not allow a Christian to have a high and mighty attitude that is focused on self. No, this awareness of their sin nature causes a Christian to be exceedingly grateful and meek for their blessing of salvation in Jesus Christ. Therefore, the meek are able to be at peace and content even if they are short on worldly goods.
These are not requirements that Christians must meet to inherit the earth. These are the effects of Christians that have been regenerated and led by the Spirit of God. This is a character description of blood bought Christian disciples and do not ever think that the blessing of eternal life is waiting for anyone who is not a disciple. If you harbor such folly, then I encourage you to repent and believe the gospel (the whole gospel).
Praise God that Spirit led Christians are meek people that are at peace in this world and will one day inherit a new earth where there will be no pain or tears.
posted by jazzycat at 8:12 AM
13 Comments:
You think all regenerated believers inherit the earth?
September 06, 2007 8:48 AM
Hey Jazzycat,
Just starting to check out your site. I see that you are a Calvinist so I had a question regarding your post. It seems that you are admonishing us to be meek, but does not your theology teach that only God can make us meek? Isn't any meekness on our part determined and caused by God [else we should have room to boast according to Calvinism]? If that is the case then the meek are merely those whom God has blessed with meekness, correct? So then, does Jesus mean "Blessed are those I choose to bless"? Or more simply, "Blessed are the blessed"?
As you can probably guess I reject Calvinism. I reject it for many reasons, but one of the main reasons is that it seems to render so much of God's word nonsense. I cannot accept any theology that would render the very words of God as mere tautology. What are your thoughts?
If you would like to return the favor and pick on my theology a bit, then stop by my blog sometime. I would enjoy the interaction.
God Bless,
Ben
September 06, 2007 9:01 AM
Ben,
Thanks for your questions.
1. God regenerates believers and changes their hearts and disposition. This is a Biblical truth that even Armininians hold. While being meek results from God’s regeneration (which Jesus in John 3:3 says must happen for a person to be saved), it flows from the free will of a regenerated believer who has a new outlook on life, especially as regards to spiritual and eternal things.
2. The boasting you speak of refers to people boasting about works leading to justification. Though it would be wrong to boast about one’s meekness and good works, this would not be boasting about one’s justification, but would be a boast about the fruit or the results of one’s salvation.
3. If you will re-read the post and pay attention, you will see that I am not admonishing anyone to be meek. Meekness is a result of justification and the indwelling Spirit, which is a result of regeneration. I have done what the text does and amplified what a meek person looks like.
4. The only hint of admonishing in this passage is but a warning to anyone who might hold to the erroneous carnal Christian concept that they need to repent and believe. Calvinist very much believe that God uses Scripture, preaching, and people to give the external call of God. That is what I was doing in the one sentence of appealing to anyone to do anything. Here again most non-calvinists agree with this position.
5. If you think all of the passages that teaches man is dead in sin and cannot and will not respond to God unless God takes action is nonsense, then I suggest you take it up in prayer with God concerning why he put these teachings in Scripture if they are not correct.
I mean no offense Ben, but if you are going to come here, please be a little less insulting and also bring you’re A-game instead of this weak attempt to discredit my views.
Wayne
September 06, 2007 9:43 AM
Matthew,
Yes, I believe that is what the passage literally says. If you are referring to a different place for Jews, then I do not hold to that at all.
September 06, 2007 9:45 AM
it flows from the free will of a regenerated believer who has a new outlook on life, especially as regards to spiritual and eternal things.
This resonates with me, Jazzy.
I think we are told by Scripture to "walk humbly with your God." In other words, our walk is to be humble. We are to submit to Him. I see plenty of "believers" who go on living as though they don't believe they were purchased at a price. As if they're still their own. And free to live as they want.
Whereas I do think we are free - but free from sin's grasp and shackles. We have been freed from this earth's cares and woes to focus on our risen Lord and where He is and be all the more humbled that He deigned to even consider such wretches as us and set us free.
We can choose to walk arrogantly or in humility. I think repentance and denying self to His Lordship requires the latter.
September 06, 2007 10:32 AM
We can choose to walk arrogantly or in humility
Susan, I agree. Humility is at the heart of conversion and the Christain walk.
September 06, 2007 10:46 AM
Have you not met many Christians who are rather lacking in meekness?
September 06, 2007 11:05 AM
Rose,
How nice to hear from you - and just as nice to agree.
I think meekness and humility are difficult to discern over a written medium, such as the Internet. I think it's good when - as brothers and sisters in Christ - we presume the best of one another, continue to try and work things out, and pray for one another.
Thanks for commenting!
September 06, 2007 11:14 AM
Great blog Jazz,
I think sometimes folks think meekness is a weekness, it sure is not. A meek person is tender-hearted, gentle, patient, and submissive. Jesus was the best example of Meekness, and this is who we are to follow.
Ephesians 4:1-2--Paul said, "I ... beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation to which ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness."
Colossians 3:12--"Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, [and] meekness."
Cristina
September 06, 2007 12:18 PM
Jazzycat,
Thanks for the explanation. I apologize if I misunderstood you. I am certainly not above misunderstanding. As far as being insulting, you will have to point out where it was that I insulted you, unless you just take someone disagreeing with you as an insult.
I didn't speak dogmatically, but made it quite clear that I was only expressing my point of view and explaining why I, personally, reject Calvinism. I also asked you what your thoughts were concerning what I wrote. I have a hard time seeing where the insult came from.
As far as bringing my "A" game, I am sorry to disappoint you. Why don't you stop by my blog and engage me on my post "Does Regeneration Precede Faith?" I may be wrong, but I think that post better represents my "A" game. I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on what I wrote. I would also recommend my post regarding John 3 since it is often appealed to by Calvinists with regards to the ordo salutis.
As far as your post, my point was that if God causes us to be meek and lowly, then He is essentially saying, "Blessed are those I have blessed [with meekness]." You obviously disagree, but that sounds a little strange to me. It seems to reduce to tautology. I don't think you addressed this in your response. Maybe I missed it it.
God Bless,
Ben
September 06, 2007 2:31 PM
Ben,
Thanks. Maybe I was too abrasive with you. I will answer your question on your blog about regeneration preceding faith in order on the list of tasks I have to do.
Although a regenerated person acts in accordance with his free will, he is willingly acting from his new God given nature. So, apart from God's intervention, he would not be meek. This is true whether you come at it from Calvinism or Armininianism. Unless of course you deny the power of regeneration and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Wayne
September 06, 2007 3:39 PM
Matthew,
I know Christians, including myself, who might slip and not be meek from time to time. However, I don't think I know of any Christians who consistently show no meekness day in and day out.
September 06, 2007 3:42 PM
Susan, Rose, and Cristina,
I am encouraged and grateful for all of your comments.
September 06, 2007 3:43 PM
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