GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY
MODULE 55
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT:
A LIGHT BEINGS TO SHINE [PART II]
A LIGHT BEINGS TO SHINE [PART II]
THE THIRD BEATITUDE AS TAUGHT BY CHRIST EXPLAINS THE BLISS OF THE GOD-CONTROLLED LIFE.
Jesus proclaimed, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." [Matthew 5:5].
'Meek' might seem to suggest subservience, possible lack of courage.
A dictionary definition describes the word as 'quiet, gentle and easily imposed upon, submissive'.
The quality of meekness is not one highly valued in competitive pursuits.
However, we are clearly told that meekness is one of the great values of the Kingdom of God.
Placing our lives under God's control
Lack of self control may lead to various consequences.
Hasty temper, harsh words, the placing of personal ambitions and needs above that of others, unconsidered pursuit of passions of the moment, a thought life in turmoil and lack of serenity, a willingness to carry out deeds of moral demerit in pursuit of wealth, prestige, status and fame.
These attributes are ones which are not unfamiliar to humanity.
It is possible that many - if not all - have at some point been challenged by personal temptation.
What Christ is pointing out is that the beatitude teaching proves blessed the one with every instinct, impulse, and passion under control.
And not only under personal control, but under God control.
Living our lives with thoughtful discernment as to whether our impulses are in line with the teaching of God prevents many tragedies and tears while on earth.
The true Christian is called upon to live a decent, honourable life.
The believer is not to murder, disrespect, lie, break others' hearts by poor or unfaithful behaviour.
The disciple of Jesus is to honour God, stay far from envy and lack of forgiveness, keep watchful self control on inner impulses and passions and purify personal emotions.
This beatitude thus calls us to place our lives under God's control.
When we surrender our lives to the template of God's teachings, something starts to happen within us.
The yeast of Christ's teaching begins to ferment in the unleavened dough of our inner selves, and action ensues.
We begin to change in ways we never thought possible, and not through our own doing.
No, God is at work within us, changing us slowly into beings of light and love.
We move from lack of self control in the passions which are every human being's heritage, to growing mastery over self as we grow in prayer life and trust in God.
This is the work which Jesus Christ has begun in us, and which He will continue until it is completed.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words." [Romans 8:26].
Deep Strength
Meekness, far from being an attribute of weakness, is one of incredible strength.
It is all too easy to retort to an insult; to avenge a wrong; to fight for justice and cause further injustice in the melee.
It takes a mature and strong person to master feelings of indignation, anger, revenge and hatred; then to channel personal emotional energy in difficult circumstances into godly deeds and forgiveness.
Meekness denotes humility, the acceptance of the necessity to learn and of the necessity to be forgiven.
Meekness describes humanity's only proper attitude to God.
For it is true that each of us has our self image, and this is a blessing.
However, if our self image becomes inflated with self importance to the point of lack of respect for God and our fellow human beings, then this is the point at which meekness should be sought.
Meekness is the ultimate reality; the realization of our true role in the scheme of things.
We have a period of time to live out our life.
Our life should not be in the spirit of self-aggrandisement or lack of gratitude to God for the gifts He has given us.
We need to bow our heads in thankfulness to our God Who has given us - not only life - but so many blessings.
The very sunrise each morning is a miracle, with the promise of a new day; fresh air to breathe, water to drink, food to grow, friendships to rejoice in, God to love.
Moses the meek
The great leader Moses was acknowledged as being very meek - humble - more than all men that were on the face of the earth. [Numbers 12:3].
The shock of the death of the Egyptian during the defence of the Hebrew slave had left deep trauma within Moses.
This great leader learned in later years to control his inner self and emotions such as anger.
Jesus explains that it is self control, respect for God and for others - meekness - which is blessed.
It is only those with the gift of self-control, those with their passions, instincts and impulses under discipline, who will be considered great in the Kingdom of God.
'Meek' might seem to suggest subservience, possible lack of courage.
A dictionary definition describes the word as 'quiet, gentle and easily imposed upon, submissive'.
The quality of meekness is not one highly valued in competitive pursuits.
However, we are clearly told that meekness is one of the great values of the Kingdom of God.
Placing our lives under God's control
Lack of self control may lead to various consequences.
Hasty temper, harsh words, the placing of personal ambitions and needs above that of others, unconsidered pursuit of passions of the moment, a thought life in turmoil and lack of serenity, a willingness to carry out deeds of moral demerit in pursuit of wealth, prestige, status and fame.
These attributes are ones which are not unfamiliar to humanity.
It is possible that many - if not all - have at some point been challenged by personal temptation.
What Christ is pointing out is that the beatitude teaching proves blessed the one with every instinct, impulse, and passion under control.
And not only under personal control, but under God control.
Living our lives with thoughtful discernment as to whether our impulses are in line with the teaching of God prevents many tragedies and tears while on earth.
The true Christian is called upon to live a decent, honourable life.
The believer is not to murder, disrespect, lie, break others' hearts by poor or unfaithful behaviour.
The disciple of Jesus is to honour God, stay far from envy and lack of forgiveness, keep watchful self control on inner impulses and passions and purify personal emotions.
This beatitude thus calls us to place our lives under God's control.
When we surrender our lives to the template of God's teachings, something starts to happen within us.
The yeast of Christ's teaching begins to ferment in the unleavened dough of our inner selves, and action ensues.
We begin to change in ways we never thought possible, and not through our own doing.
No, God is at work within us, changing us slowly into beings of light and love.
We move from lack of self control in the passions which are every human being's heritage, to growing mastery over self as we grow in prayer life and trust in God.
This is the work which Jesus Christ has begun in us, and which He will continue until it is completed.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words." [Romans 8:26].
Deep Strength
Meekness, far from being an attribute of weakness, is one of incredible strength.
It is all too easy to retort to an insult; to avenge a wrong; to fight for justice and cause further injustice in the melee.
It takes a mature and strong person to master feelings of indignation, anger, revenge and hatred; then to channel personal emotional energy in difficult circumstances into godly deeds and forgiveness.
Meekness denotes humility, the acceptance of the necessity to learn and of the necessity to be forgiven.
Meekness describes humanity's only proper attitude to God.
For it is true that each of us has our self image, and this is a blessing.
However, if our self image becomes inflated with self importance to the point of lack of respect for God and our fellow human beings, then this is the point at which meekness should be sought.
Meekness is the ultimate reality; the realization of our true role in the scheme of things.
We have a period of time to live out our life.
Our life should not be in the spirit of self-aggrandisement or lack of gratitude to God for the gifts He has given us.
We need to bow our heads in thankfulness to our God Who has given us - not only life - but so many blessings.
The very sunrise each morning is a miracle, with the promise of a new day; fresh air to breathe, water to drink, food to grow, friendships to rejoice in, God to love.
Moses the meek
The great leader Moses was acknowledged as being very meek - humble - more than all men that were on the face of the earth. [Numbers 12:3].
The shock of the death of the Egyptian during the defence of the Hebrew slave had left deep trauma within Moses.
This great leader learned in later years to control his inner self and emotions such as anger.
Jesus explains that it is self control, respect for God and for others - meekness - which is blessed.
It is only those with the gift of self-control, those with their passions, instincts and impulses under discipline, who will be considered great in the Kingdom of God.
