Many Christians would say they understand the basis of Jesus’s command in Matthew 4:19, which says, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (NIV).” They get he is the model of the faith, and we are to follow likewise. However, talk about the proof it’s being honored; the average Christian looks like a deer in the headlight. The fact is “Meekness” is the virtue that arises when this mountaintop teaching or command is followed and appropriately fulfilled. Recall, “The meek shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).”
Upfront, and with all my breath, let me say, “Meekness is not weakness, shyness, or helplessness!” Meekness is a life controlled by God’s Principles, Blessings, and Performance. Another way to look at this is to see one’s life is composed through God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Meekness means accepting God’s ultimate perspective (Goodness - Genesis 1:31) to form a model life through His Son (Wonderfully Weird Commands), producing proof the Holy Spirit powers it. The evidence of this life trait is understood through the “Fruit of the Spirit” of gentleness (Galatians 5:23 [NIV]).” The two most common character traits seen in a meek person are humility and security (see first two commands in devotion series) rather than pride and anxiety. A true sign that meekness is absent from a Christian’s character is aggressive or passive-aggressive anger.
Christians are bitter and angry for many reasons; however, a big one, especially with senseless anger, has to do with unfulfilled expectations; precisely, their personal preferences are not being met. Christians get mad all the time because people fail to meet their calculations of what they believe is good instead of God’s Truth. Unfortunately, it's foolish anger that motivates many Christians instead of humility and security. Meekness is observed in Jesus’s episode in the Temple, where he is angry with good intentions to fulfill God’s Reality (Matthew 21:12-13).
There are several things Christians can do to keep the command “Follow Me” to develop meekness. First, stop and dispute your irrational anger. Rationalizing your bitterness and anger is plain stupid, and the only justification for it is seen in the life of Jesus. We only see it once in the whole life of Jesus. Let me ask, how many times this week have you been angry? Second, have complete confidence and believe that God is in control and whatever happens in life, positive or negative, is for the betterment of God’s purpose and the bigger picture of LIFE. God’s in control, no matter what we feel or think.
Today, make it your life’s initiative to be like Jesus in mind, heart, and soul. Learn to live by God’s expectation set by his Wonderfully Weird Commands. Apply them daily to be Christ-like in character and to be meek. Understand, if you can do these things, it will lead to the Fruit of God, where success is inevitable whatever is presented in the purpose God has for you.
With meekness,