We have looked at the Upright and what should follow there after is the Righteous but instead I am doing the Meek but not that of Christ Jesus. The Meek from GODS perspective first. Looking at Pastor Hoekstra's writing on Grace and then the ESV translation for our look at Meekness.
"Living by Grace: Humility and Faith"
"GOD resists the proud, but gives Grace to the Humble . . . through whom also we have access by faith into this Grace in which we stand." (James 4:6 and Romans 5:2)
"How does a believer in Jesus Christ access the ongoing, Sanctifying Grace of GOD for daily godliness? It is accessed the same way that the initial, Justifying Grace of GOD was acquired - - by humility and faith. We were Justified, declared Righteous in GOD's Sight, when we humbly trusted in the Lord Jesus. We humbly agreed with the LORD's account of our guilty condition. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD . . . For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 3:23; 6:23). We also put our trust in Christ concerning His offer of a change from darkness to Life (based upon His death and resurrection on our behalf). "But the Gift of GOD is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our LORD" (Romans 6:23). Thereby we partook of the Justifying Grace of GOD, through Humility and Faith.This is how the LORD GOD wants us to continue to relate to Him in Sanctifying Grace.
Our GOD wants us to walk in humility, because Grace is what we need for Growth in Godly living. Remember this Great Truth of Grace: "But grow in the Grace . . . of our LORD the Savior Jesus Christ" (2Peter 3:18). If we are unwilling to walk in humility, we will not enjoy this wondrous Sanctifying impact of Grace, because "GOD Resists the proud, but gives Grace to the Humble." When we live in our own self-sufficiency, GOD resists us. When we function in humility, GOD gives us Grace for Living.
Our GOD also wants us to walk in faith, because Faith Accesses Grace. "Through Whom [Christ] also we have access by faith into this Grace in which we stand." We now stand in a kingdom that offers "Grace upon grace" (John 1:16). Abundant Grace is available for every step we are to take. This Grace is partaken of by His Faith receiving GODS Faithfulness working within us. And through this it is said that we Live by faith in His expression of Faith and that not of our own. Whenever we trust the Lord Jesus (GOD in mans flesh) concerning any issue of Life, we are reaching by faith into GOD's unlimited resources of Grace, by which we are enabled to live effectively.
Hereby we see that living by (we are in) Grace involves two relational realities: humility and faith. We do not produce either. Neither are a work. Humility admits we cannot do the work (of being Holy, Loving, Perfect). Faith relies upon the work of another, the LORD Christ Jesus' Spirit within us. They are both Relational Realities, since they become real in our lives through a growing Relationship with the LORD. The more we get to know the LORD Christ Jesus, to that degree humility and faith will become realities in our lives."
Some general references of Meekness:
Is to Sought for:
Zephaniah 2:1-3 "Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect —before the day passes away like chaff— before there comes upon you the burning anger of the LORD, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the LORD. Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do His just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD."
Non-resistance a Mark of:
Luke 6:27-36 (Jesus is speaking) "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."
A Fruit of His "Spirit:"
Galatians 5:14, 15-24, 25, 6:1, Ephesians 4:2 "For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit (poses) the kingdom of GOD. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no Law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."
Galatians 6:1-5 "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keeping watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the Law (Commandment) of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load."
Ephesians 4:1-6 "I therefore, a prisoner for the LORD, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity (no division as in denominations here spoken of) of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is One Body and One Spirit—just as you were called to the One Hope that belongs to your call—One LORD, One Faith, One Baptism, One GOD and Father of all, Who is over All and through all and in All."
Is Essential in Teaching:
2Timothy 2:20-26, Titus 3:2 "Now in a Great House (GODS Temple our body, His Family His Church being One, seen in Ephesians 4 above) there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the Master of the House, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the LORD from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the LORD's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. GOD may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the Truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will."
Titus 3:1-11 "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of GOD our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own Mercy, by the Washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Whom HE gave out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being Justified by His Grace we might become heirs according to the Hope of Eternal Life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed GOD may be careful to Devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned."
Precious in GOD's Sight:
1Peter 3:1-7, 8-12 (this could be titled GODLY Living) "Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in GOD's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in GOD used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."
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