A Church Reforming to Reach the Lost for Christ

Christian Reformed Churches of Australia

The CRCA

A Church Reforming to Reach the Lost for Christ
4 minutes reading time (816 words)

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GENTLENESS (MEEKNESS)

LD-FRUIT

Has anyone given the advice ‘If you want to get somewhere in business be meek’? My dictionary defines meekness as ‘1. Having a patient, gentle disposition. 2. Lacking spirit or backbone; submissive.’ No wonder being gentle is not a popular concept. Our culture says one should be self-assertive, get what you deserve. What the Bible means by being gentle is usually misunderstood. At a rodeo a popular event is the cowboy trying to stay on a wild horse for ten seconds. A bucking bronco seems very powerful, doesn’t it? Compare that horse with the mounts used in the Olympics for the three-day endurance event. There a horse must have the strength to carry a rider over rough ground for three days. The power of those endurance horses must be far greater than that of the bucking bronco. The difference between the two horses is that one has learned to have a saddle on it and respond to the bit in its mouth. The word used in Paul’s time for taming a horse was ‘prautes’. That is the word we translate as ‘meekness’ or ‘gentleness’. A trained horse has its power channeled in a usable direction. So ‘meekness’ or ‘gentleness’ means ‘controlled strength.’ As a fruit of the Spirit ‘meekness’ is ‘strength under the control of God.’ One commentator says: ‘Meekness … is the fullness of the presence of God, where pride and arrogance cannot abide.’ ‘Meekness (gentleness)’ means we have a temperament towards God that quietly accepts his dealings with us. We allow ourselves to be of service as he sees fit in his plan. ‘Meekness’ means we know of our deep need for God. A meek person, despite all the power they may have, quietly surrenders to God each day. The song-writer captured the meaning well when he wrote: ‘Have you own way Lord, have your own way, hold ov’r my being absolute sway; mould me and make me, after your will, till I am waiting, yielded and still.’

Meekness’ is first expressed in our relationship to God. Then, as an outflow of that, it expresses itself in our relationship with other people. ‘Meekness’ describes our humility towards God. And ‘gentleness’ describes how we are to relate to one another. Being gentle with one another does not mean we are weak. It is an expression of power. We can afford to be gentle because we have the power of the Holy Spirit in us. Being gentle with one another takes a high degree of strength. It takes a lot of strength not to respond with a tongue lashing when we have been badly wronged. If you refuse to rant back because you trust God will deal with it, then you are showing the fruit of ‘gentleness.’ A prime example of this was Moses. Moses is described in the Bible as being “...more meek than any one on the face of the earth.” Moses was in no way a weak person. He was a very strong leader. But he did not pull rank. He was humble. He trusted God to defend him. His power was under God’s control. Are we ‘meek’ like that, knowing God will deal with those wrong us? We see the same with Jesus. He says in Matthew, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.The very thing that attracts us to Jesus is his gentleness. He is almighty God. He is all powerful, able to overcome sin and death. Yet he is gentle and humble. Jesus was not looking after number one. He was not winning through intimidation or tough nosed tactics. He defeated evil by meekness, by submission. By Christ’s humility, by his submission and obedience has come the way of restoring the entire universe! Now that is power under God’s control.

Humility, gentleness, submission to God, meekness is our calling.To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his footsteps.’  It is by meekness that we display the nature of Jesus and his work in redemption. It is by meekness that we display how the grace of God works through Jesus. Meekness, gentleness, is so important when it comes to witnessing for Jesus. We don’t Bible-bash. We win hearts through grace and the power of the Spirit. Being meek and gentle is not about being losers. Jesus said the ‘Meek shall inherit the earth.’ How come? It’s not about conquering the earth. It’s about inheriting it. Everything is under God’s control and ‘…he gives grace to the humble.’

Leo Douma

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