Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross Richard Mansel invites you to come visit his new, "Moving Word" blog. He will focus on helping us become writers. http://richardmansel.com/ COLUMN: LIVING THE FAITH Blessed Are The Meek by Richard Mansel, managing editor "Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5, NKJV). The discrepancy between the physical and the spiritual is once again evident in this Beatitude. Fleshly meekness means that we allow the world to run over us. Pathetic and weak, we become losers for people to despise. We lack all ambition or hope. The Greek word translated "meek" originally referred to "inanimate things, such as light, wind, sound, sickness."/1 Aristotle referred to it as "the mean between stubborn anger and that negativeness of character which is incapable of even righteous indignation."/2 Spiritually, meekness is much more powerful and bold. It has nothing to do with our physical courage or strength. God's plan is universal. Character is available to everyone, even though physical strength or prowess is not. No one suffers spiritually for having a frail or disfigured body. Spiritual strength stands taller than anything man has to offer. Spiritually, meekness is not synonymous with weakness. Lifted by the power of Christ, we rise above the timidity of the fleshly model (Ephesians 1:19). There is no reason to be timid when we have the full force of God behind us (Hebrews 13:5). "The Christian meekness is based in humility, which is not a natural quality but an outgrowth of a renewed nature."/3 As we grow in grace and knowledge, our spirits grow stronger as our grip tightens on the Lord's hand. We know he will never leave us and we have inestimable blessings as we make our journey in him (Ephesians 4:1). We have no reason to grovel at Satan's feet and follow the hordes to hell, just because we are too weak to say no. Man's version of meekness is exactly what too many Christians are doing, when they concede defeat and live as sinners (Ephesians 4:17-19). We can compare spiritual meekness to a stallion. He retains all of his power and strength, despite being tamed and submissive. He is dangerous but endowed with self-control. God is good and meek, but can decimate anyone who crosses him (Romans 12:19). Jesus was a meek man, but he could also throw the moneychangers from the temple (Matthew 21:12-13; John 18:22-23). Christians stop allowing the forces of Satan to conquer you. We have God on our side! _________ 1/ Marvin Vincent, Vincent's Word Meanings in the New Testament (Peabody: Hendrickson, n.d.), 1:37. 2/ Vincent, 1:37. 3/ Vincent, 1:37. ---- Read this article online, write your reaction, and read others' comments as well. Click here: http://tinyurl.com/2gxv9pr You can help get the word out. Here's how: http://www.forthright.net/editorial/lend_a_hand.html