Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek (gentle, quiet, easilly impossed on, submissive) and lowly in heart (freedom from pride – humility): and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29.
The scriptures cannot be broken as Christ testified and spoke of himself: though he has spoken of himself, but his testimony was true because this was written concerning him by the prophet saying, rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zachariah 9:9.
Before we get to heaven, we may possibly benefit from some of the full blessings of the beatitudes (sermon on the mount. Matthew 5:3-11), but there are few others like the blessedness of the meek which shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5) with few of it’s blessings and benefits for the present time while it’s full reward is afterward, by the time that God shall make the new heaven and the new earth where righteousness and the righteous in Christ will dwell. 2 Peter 3:13.
The true and lasting inheritance of the meek is not in this present corruptible inheritance where moth and rust corrupt, and thieves break through and steal; for they, being meek, tremble in obedince to the word of God as they lay up their tresure in heaven. They will not put on a fight for earthly loss or gain (Abraham And Abram said unto Lot, let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. Genesis 13:8-9), either to robberry or by the exploitation of the ungodly in the world, and from the false brethren in church (nay, you do wrong, and defraud, that your brethren. 1 Corinthians 6:8) as regarding what concerns the materials and the perishables things of this world (for ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. 2 Corinthians 11:20); but they will endure a great fight of afflictions, and will take joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing in themselves that they have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Hebrews 10:32-34.
We are living in a cursed – proud generation (there is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes, and their eyelids are lifted up. Proverbs 30:13) where everyman is equal and there is no respect whatsoever for anyone, except for those who can blow their trumpet louder than others to earn admiration and respect of the public.
The issue (meek and lowly heart) spoken here by Christ is a character issue against the normal norm or standard of what is going on in the noisy, lousy, competitive, demeaning, abusive, contemptible, corruptible and aggressive evil world where gentleness is sometimes consider as weakness and foolsihness, and pride and pomposity is celebrated.
Any believer that is walking according to the principles of a meek life and lowly spirit is showing that he has truly seen and been with Christ by portraying the true character of his Saviour who has called him to learn and to live after the principles of his meek and lowly spirit in the competitive world of pridefulness and lofttiness of spirit.
You cannot separate the doctrine of self –abasement away from the call of Christ to a meek and lowly heart of character; otherwise, you will miss the entire concepts of the doctrine of meekness and its appeal to the lowliness of Christ.
First, we should remember that meekness is one of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:23): therefore, we must consciously and laboriously be reproducing and growing the fruit of meekness through practical experiences (lifestyles behavior) before the presence of the proud and arrogant people of the world who seek to fret and influence you to act or behave like them: but they, in their pride, should be resisted and must not be tolerated (him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.. Psalms 101:5), but as God resist the proud, you should let them know that they have no place in your life: Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Psalms 131:1-2.
The alvation is for the meek (the Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek. IsaiaH 61:1), but they must seek meekness and learn to grow in the true meekness of the fruit of the spirit of God for the transformation required until Christ true image of meekness and lowliness of heart is formed in them, that they may fully be a good representation of Christ in the restless, troublesome and wearisome world of men where meekness, lowliness of mind and gentleness is mostly derided and taken advantage of or ill treat.
I am meek and lowly in heart is Christ description and declaration of his personality and character as the Son of man. This speaks of the quietness of our Lord – a quiet prince of peace. Is it not written of Christ, behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles? He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. Matthew 12: 18-19.
The invitation of the Lord to learn of his meekness and lowliness is for all and sundry to imitate him after the exemplary life and behavior of his meek and lowly spirit: to practice the lifestyle and behaviors of meekness and lowliness of heart through incessant prayer until we attain unto the fullness of it, if we really desire to obey the Lord, that we might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. The three words of unto all patience, all longsuffering and with all joyfulness is the combination of power, fruitfulness and blessings of a mature meek spirit and lowly heart in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:11.
Moses, though was said to be the meekest above all the people he was called to lead to the Promised Land, but his meekness lacked all longsuffering with all joyfulness and all patience to calm down the swelling of his Jordan to overcome the nuisance of the Israelis (if thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trust, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5): thus they weary and provoke him to sin against God with his mouth, and it went ill for Moses as God punished him for his lack of full meekness, longsuffering and forbearance in the spirit. Psalms 106:33. Note: the meek man, though he is challenged or stirred up in his spirit to speak or to do evil, he will not fall into such trap or temptation of pride of life, but will discern the devises of Satan to restrain himself– self control from showing forth his (they also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that opens not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that hears not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. Psalms 38:12-14) self worth, self esteem, self glorification, self defense, self praise, self advertisement, self display which are abomination to God, for God will guide the meek in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way. Psalms 29:5.
Unlike the Pharisees whose works are done to be seen of men, the meek believer in Christ Jesus has nothing to show anyone: for him, it is all about Christ: his left hand is never made aware of what the right hand has done – never. He is not a proud, noisy, attention and honor seeker: though his good works cannot be hid for another man to praise him, a stranger, and not his own mouth.Proverbs 27:2.
Spiritual meekness is the opposite of the false humility and expression of a deep humbleness and appreciation of an unsaved man for the accolade received before the people. I am deeply humbled, he said, sometimes with little tears for his pride. Before then, what was he; proud, angry, restless and worried that his work has not received proper attention and recognition? Natural man loves to be praised in a world of ungrateful men and women, a world full of the despisers of those that are good: but not with the meek and the lowly in heart, he is not grieved nor offended by any of those things because his works are not done to be seen or praised by men, but unto God, from the Lord doth he seek for his praise, his approval, and his honor. Colossians 3:23-24.
The redeem believer in Christ Jesus should keep walking, living and cultivating meekness: he should always be thankful and appraciated of others for their good or bad deeds towards him – in everything give thanks. Whether he is appreciated or not, being honoured or not ( being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. 1 Corinthians 4:13), praised or not and being recognized or not, being celebrated or not and being blessed or not, he will will always appreciates others, he will praise others, he will recognize others, he will celebrate others and he will bless those that cursed him as he has learnt of Christ, that when he do well, and suffer for it, he should take it patiently, for God has called him for this purpose; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he suffered, he threatened not; but commits himself to him that judges righteously, not to render evil for evil, or railing for railing, contrary blessing. Isaiah 53. 7. 1 Peter 2:21-23.
It is not in vain that God commands us to seek after meekness (seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be you shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger. Zephaniah 2:3); probably, it might be the virtue that will save us from his wrath on the day of wrath.
Hardly will there be found any character flaw in the life of a child of God if he seeks and strive to live after Christ meekness and lowliness of heart and spirit. Such will learn and know how to speak the word in season to him that is weary, and his word will be fiiled of grace, seasoned with salt, and that he may know how to answer every man. Grace shall be found in his lips and the King will be his friends. Is it not from the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks? Thus we see that they are the pure in heart, certainly, they shall see God. Proverbs 22:11.
Meekness is linked to almost every other fruit of the spirit such as patience, the man of God must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26: (b) meekness is also linked to self control, the true beauty and character of a godly woman is known by her ability to learn in silence, not in self opinionated – un-teachable or arrogant and disputing spirit: but through the virtue of the ornament of a meek and quite spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price, should learn in silence. 1 Peter 3:4: (c) meekness is linked to peace and joy, for the meek shall increase their joy in the Lord (Isaiah 29:14) in contrast to the bitterness, jealousy of the competitive carnal believers in the church who are said to be possessed by the earthly, sensual and devilish wisdom. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation (meek, gentle and humble behaviors) his works with meekness of wisdom. Note: meekness should bring forth the gentleness of Christ: these two are inseparable because the latter is the fruit of the former.
And though, a believer is expected to be spiritually violent and zealous (Matthew 11:12), he should not be physically or behavioral violent and wild, strife loving man or woman like Ishmael, a child born of the flesh; very rude, disrespectful and quarrelsome: but the wisdom from heaven is first pure, peaceable, and gentle, and easy to be intreated…. James 3:13-17: (d) meekness is linked to long-suffering because the meek man will not resist evil: if you ask the meek man to go a mile with you, he will surely go for two miles for your satisfaction: and if a man will sue them at law, and take away their coat, they will not withhold their cloke from him (Matthew 5:38-41): in favor of the meek, the prophet declares, thus says your Lord the Lord, and your God that pleads the cause of his people, behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; you shall no more drink it again: but I will put it into the hand of them that afflict you; which have said to thy soul, bow down, that we may go over: and you has laid your body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over. Isaiah 51: 22-23: (e) meekness is linked to kindness and goodness, the meek don’t rejoice at the destruction of him that hated them. Can’t you see Abraham’s acts of goodness towards his ungrateful cousin – Lot? Abraham denied himself of his right to claim the best part of the land, yet he let his goodness determined who should chose first for Lot to choose the best part of the Land towards Sodom and Gomorrah. Moreover, by his kindness, he mobilized men to defend of Lot and to fight to help him to recover all that was stolen from him. Surely, the meek shall inherit earth (Matthew 5:5) as the Lord said to Abraham, after that Lot was separated from him. Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which you see, to you will I give it, and to your seed for ever. Genesis 13:14-15.
The book of Revelation chapter 5 reveals two different spiritual virtues of Christ in the heavenly spiritual description of him as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (which speaks of his kingship, power, dominion and authority), and of his earthly nature and character as the Lamb whose blood was shed before the foundation of the world which speaks of his lowliness, meekness, submission and self- abasement – made himself of no reputation.
These two fold nature of Christ is a must to be found in the lives of all who are called to be his representation on earth. The Lamb part of Christ is meek and lowly, pure, innocent and harmless, irreproachable, non- retaliation, mild, receptive and inoffensive: but the lion nature or character of Christ is strenght, zeal, decisive, fearlessness, unstoppable, unbreakable and indestructible in doing the will of God, fighting his war in righteousness and truth.
The description of the King of Isreal and the king of saints (Christ) on the day of his triumphant entrance into Jesrusalem was that of a meek and lowly Son of man, ridding on as ass – 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.
He was a king, but meek, and not a haughty king as other earthly kings, though he made them and exalt them to their earthly kingly position. Thus, we see that the position of our relatioship as heirs of God, the princes, princeses and the priests of God by the blood of Christ does not give us any right or permission in any way to speak with arrogance or to become haughty for whatever reason; neither to walk in haughiness of heart, showing a lofty eyes., contrary to the lofty walk, the lofty eyes, the lofty look, the lofy neck and the lofty talk we see in our churches today among the sons and daughters of Zion. Moreover, the because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet, therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will uncover their secret parts. Isaiah 3:16-17.
This is the opposite of what Christ is, and God will definitely punish and destroy all haughtiness and the haughty of men and women in the world and in the church. If you are of Christ, you should do what you have seen, heard and learnt of him or what he says he is: this is the right way to abide in him, if you are to walk as he has walked: for he says, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls.
Recently, I had a discussion with a rebellious, contentious, noisy, obnoxious and an odious woman which the earth cannot bear or tolerate in marriage. Proverbs 30:23. She was very proud of herself to show toughness to her husband who I can only describes as humble, gentle, kind and loving brother in the Lord. Her claim was that as long as her husband does not show her love, she is going to remain or stay rebellious and quarrelsome. She is one of those kinds of women (daughters of Belial, Jezebel and horseleech) that seek to control and manipulate their spouse at the pretext of ‘you don’t give me enough love’ when they can’t have the final say at home to dominate their husband; though you give them everything, they will always cry, give, give without satisfaction. Proverbs 30:15.
Her twisted scriptural backup is that husband must first love the wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her before she can be submissive to her husband (Ephesians 5:22-31); otherwise, there will be no submission, neither peace and love at home. But what says the scripture in 1 Peter chapter 3, verses 1: that likewise, the wives should be in subjection to their own husbands, that, if any obey not the word, (an unbelieving husband or a good for nothing husband), they also may without the word be won by the conversation (meekness and lowly spirit) of the wife. The submission of a godly wife – a daughter of Zion should be unconditional, otherwise, her unjustifiable excuse to be rebellious against the truth shall be her condemnation before the Lord, while the selfish man who will not honor and love his wife as himself will have his prayers hindered or unanswered by the Lord.1 Peter 3:7.
These daughters of Jezebel in the church will go to any extent to verbally insult or physically smite their husband at home, been driven by worldly mentality of feminine equality, or by demonic and carnal emotional influence. While she is lacking meekness and quietness, which is the ornament of a great price in the sight of God, obviously, the God of peace and joy has not called us to manage any rebellious, nagging and contentious wife with her unending strife of tongue at home.
Meekness of wisdom of a gentle, lowly and quiet spirit is the conversation (better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife. Proverbs 17:1) behavior or lifestyle which the Lord expect from the genuine believing married sisters to win back the hearts of their rebellious husbands, if there is any husband who does not obey the word: but the beautiful woman without discretion (Proverbs 11:22) will threatens rebellion, she will insults and falsely accuse to victimize and to find a reason to subdue the will of her husband in order to rule over him and to bring his desire unto her, contrary to the written word: such behavior is witchcraft and manipulation. Genesis 3:16.
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you. 2 Corinthians 10:1. The meek condescend to others (Romans 12:16), and they don’t lift themselves up, but God honors them before others: the Lord lifts up the meek: he cast the wicked down to the ground. Psalms 147:6. They don’t despise any, but they esteem other better than themselves. Philippians 2:3. Note: spiritual authority and position of leadership in the Lord is well managed and commendable before the Lord in the spirit of meekness and lowliness of mind, lest any of the leaders in the church should blindly make themselves lord over God’s heritage to be as one who rules over another for his own hurt – destruction. Ecclesiastes 8:9.
Today, there are male and female hooligans, kick boxers, wrestlers and violent men and women who are rascals, ruffians and restless married Christian: these are the strange children of the wicked one which the enemy has planted to corrupt the holy seeds: they causes offenses and slander the Christian homes to make others to fall, but they shall soon be gathered and thrown into eternal fire where they belongs at the time of harvest.
In the times past before we come to Christ, we were all foolish as the bible says, but now in Christ Jesus, meekness and gentleness of Christ is a command for a new lifestyle, character and disposition of spirit we must show to all men (believers and unbelievers alike), to be in subjection to those in authority as a good, and not a rebellious citizen: to obey magistrates: to be ready to ever good work: to speak evil of no man: to be no brawler, but gentle, and showing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, serving divers lusts and pleasure, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another; Titus 3: 1-3.
This is the condemnation of those who are twisting the scripture to their own destruction because they will not receive the engrafted word which is able to save them in meekness (James 1:22): for such (the meek) as be blesssed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. Psalms 37:22.
When God will arise to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth (Psalms 76:9), the Lord shall not beautify them with his salvation (149:6) because they will not seek after meekness in the Lord, but are proud and haughty in heart and in spirit, they would none of his ways and lifestyle.