Gtcotr/ws11/15/17
Galatians 5 KJV
22 But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance:
against such there is no law.
Meekness
is often understood as humility. Throughout the Bible, and especially in the
New Testament, there are two understood streams of meekness.
1.
There is the humility we owe to God which is the opposite of pride.
a.
1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble
yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
b.
James 4:6 But He gives
more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the
humble.”
c.
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger people,
submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive
to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But
gives grace to the humble.”
d.
Such humility is a conviction of our dependence of God as we see
ourselves in respect to how we see Him.
e.
It is our duty to take a lower position with respect to God.
2.
Then there is that humility we hold and display when interacting
with others. This meekness spoken of throughout the New Testament is a fruit
of the Holy Spirit grown in the life of a Believer intended to aid us in our
dealings with others so that they can see and experience God’s grace in and
through us.
a.
Meekness
is not cowardice or intimidation.
b.
It’s
not weakness or a lack of conviction or resolve.
c.
It
is kindness and gentleness we afford others even when we don’t agree.
d.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be
overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit
of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
e.
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give
them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
f.
This
meekness is difficult to offend quickly or set off by challenge nor does it
consider or exact vengeance upon another.
g.
One who does not trample down the rights of others to secure their
own.
h.
It is our duty to be gentle and kind when dealing with others.
Barnes
Notes on Matthew 5:5 says concerning this meekness:
It comes from a heart too great to be moved by little insults. It
looks
upon those who offer them with pity. He that is constantly ruffled,
that suffers every little insult or injury to throw him off his
guard, and to raise a storm of passion within, is at the mercy of
every mortal that chooses to disturb him. He is like the troubled
sea
that cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
Jesus
displayed both types of humility in His life as an example to us:
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke
upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find
rest unto your souls.
·
Meek
and gentle when dealing with others and their needs.
·
Lowly
and humble with respect to God and my submission to Him.
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
This
meekness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Good News … we can grow as much fruit
as we like in our lives. As we do we shield ourselves against those elements
which make us want to rage or retaliate in exacting revenge. Rather we feel as
though we can rest in the fact that vengeance belongs to the Lord and we can
live at peace and be patient with others showing them the gentleness and
goodness of our God while allowing God to deal with their shortcomings.
