Text: Matthew 5:5
By: Ogumor, Sunny (Bishop)
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Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
The first part of the Sermon on the Mount known as the “Beatitudes”, which can be referred to as “be – attitudes”. The attitudes that should “be” in Christians that will bring blessings to us.
I strongly believe we all need blessing. Then what is Blessing? My dictionary simply says “God’s Help” or “Divine aid”. AMP version says “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect], a looked at these attributes reminds us of what the servant of Abraham said; “my master is blessed greatly”. Genesis 24:35.
Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy; and the evil way, and the froward mouth (stubbornly disobedient), do I hate.” What is your attitude from be-attitude? Be ready for your blessings as we study these words.
The attitude of a Christian should be, to see sin the way God sees it and run away from it. Those who cover sin or defend sin certainly have the wrong attitude. We should not only mourn over our sins, but we should also humbly submit to God, like the tax collector. Luke 18:9-14, Philippians 3:1-14.
What is Humility?
Humility is the opposite of pride. And “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall”. Proverbs 16:18.
The Webster dictionary describes humility as freedom from pride and arrogance. In theology, it is a state of mind well pleasing to God. 1 Peter 3:4. it preserves the soul in a peaceful and calm state. Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4. It is the practice of meekness, obedience to God, respect of self and others, submissiveness and modesty.
It makes us patient under trials as Job did. Job 1:22. Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.
The Pharisee saw himself as being superior and better than the Publican. What and arrogant posture, and he has proof to justify himself. In doing that he did not humble himself neither did he show humility. Luke. 18:9-14.
This happening in time of Jesus Christ and he saw it as a stumbling block in the Christian race and he spoke in parable onto them concerning them which trusted in themselves that they are righteous and make jest of others concerning their faith.
Jesus said that it was the tax collector who humbled himself, that went home justified before God. Humility and Meekness are individual characters or qualities that distinguishes somebody from others. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in his sermon on the mount told us that you are blessed if you have these two characters. We should be looking at developing godly character or excellency of life in Christ, cultivating and growing in different Christian qualities. Not in pride and arrogance.
We must realize that there are numerous blessings attached to our dependence on God and his instruction in order to learn how to live a life in obedience to Christ.
Our culture seems to celebrate the one who is hardened as a hero, the one who always refuse to submit to others idea, and who challenges anyone who comes against his interests. Is the meek weak and deficient?
What does the Bible say about Humility
The Bible describes humility as meekness, lowliness, and absence of self-will. Colossians 3:12.
Each one of the qualities mentioned in this passage express themselves in relation as Christian virtue. A good measure of our Christian life is found simply in how we treat people and the quality of our relationships with them.
It is very important to note that every one of the “graces” listed here has to do with personal relationships between man and man. This passage is not talking about how clever or efficient you are but about the quality we should put on to better our relationship with ourselves and with our God.
This shows how humility will affect my actions towards others to say I will not dominate (be oppressive), manipulate, or coerce any one for my own ends, even if I have the power and the ability.
Longsuffering show show humility will affect my reaction towards others; I will not become impatient, short cut, or filled with always annoyance towards the weaknesses and sins of others but to work together for a common goal as Christians.
The life we now live, we live by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us. Gal 2:20-21. That is true humility.
The more simply the believer relies on Christ for every thing, the more devotedly does he walk before Him in all his ordinances and commandments. Christ lives and reigns in him, and he lives a good life by faith in the Son of God, which works by love, and obedience. And so, he neither abuses the grace of God, nor makes it in vain.
Humility drives you to serve and not to be served. Matthew 20:26-27. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Humility does not merely look out for his own personal interests alone, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4.
This attitude removes selfish ambition, pride, and the strife that comes with self-justification and self-defence. Jesus was not ashamed to humble Himself as a servant. He washed his disciples’ feet. John 13:1-16. even to death on the cross he was humble. Philippians 2:8. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.
In His humility, He was always obedient to the Father and so should the humble Christian be willing to put aside all selfishness and submit in obedience to God and His Word. True humility produces godliness, contentment, and security.
Humility brings blessing;
God has promised to give grace to the humble, while He opposes the proud. He mocks proud mockers but shows favour to the humble and oppressed. Proverbs 3:343. Humility invites the grace of God.
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5.
Luke 14:11 “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Paul is also to be our example of humility. 1 Timothy 1:15. 1 Corinthians 15:9-11.
Like Paul, the truly humble will glory in the grace of God and in the cross, not in self-righteousness. Philippians 3:3-9.
Do you want God to bless you? Then know this, “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honour and life” Proverbs 22:4.
Stay Humble: Remember that your worth comes from God, not from your achievements or status.
Meekness:
Meekness is not weakness, for both Moses and Jesus were meek men (Numbers 12:3; Matthew 11:29). This word translated “meek” was used by the Greeks to describe a horse that had been trained. “It refers to power under control”.
The Webster dictionary describes meekness as softness of temper, gentleness and forbearance (self-control) under injuries and provocations. A calm temper mind, not easily provoked James 3:13.
Meekness is often misunderstood as weakness. In biblical terms, it is “strength under control”, the ability to act with power but choosing gentleness, humility, and patience instead. It is about deliberately restraining yourself and reactions for the good of others and the glory of God.
Colossians 3 gave us the picture of what a follower of Jesus should look like. Meek and gentle. Apostle Paul tells us to take off the old self; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk, and put on new spiritual clothing.
This attitude includes compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and love. The over all of these virtues is love which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:8–14. Galatians 5:23, against such there is no law.
Meekness is a quality way of life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that every Christian needed today. “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter”. Jesus Christ referred to Himself as “meek and lowly in heart” Matthew 11:29.
And Moses: The bible says “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth” Numbers 12:3.
As the disciples of Jesus Christ, we too should also be meek and gentle in our ways. We must realize that there are numerous blessings attached to our dependence on God and his instruction in order to learn how to live a life in obedience to Christ. The meek are extremely important in God’s kingdom they are not considered deficient in spirit. Colossians 3:12.
The Meek are blessed.
If the word “meekness” means outward behavior of a person who is tolerant, patient, and slow to respond in anger. One who remains in control of himself in the face of insults or injuries then there will be quick resolution in time of conflicts. (And that is a blessing to humanity).
Jesus pronounces a blessing on everyone who is meek as we see in Matthew 5:5. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” The Psalmist says “the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace” Psalm 37:11. This two are not in contrast, Christ new that the destination of those who are His is Heaven and before then they will do well on earth.
To inherit the earth is to be at peace with God and your fellow human being. Psalm 37:11, Isaiah 2:4. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. “The church shall enjoy this”.
Conclusion
Agree with me that everyone who has humility has meekness and every person with meekness is likely also humble. Humility and Meekness are attributes of a godly person and they are fruits of the Spirit. God will not save those who are proud and have a pride-filled heart but He will only “save all the humble of the earth” Psalm 76:9 as well “he adorns the humble with salvation” Psalm 149:4.
John13:17. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. “Happy and favored by God”.
May the Lord Almighty bless these words in our hearts in Jesus Name, Amen!
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