Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Meek (07/18/24)
-
TITLE: The Willingness To Be Number 2 | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
07/22/24 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Both divine and human viewpoint agree with looking out for number one, but disagree on who or what number one is!
Humility is a basic requirement for discipleship.
Until one is ready to become a servant, rather than one who desires to be recognized or served, he or she is not ready for the life of discipleship.
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is NOT from the Father, but is from the world (1John 2: 16 NASB2020).”
Alliance with the world, sharing its goals, makes one an enemy of God (1). One can not serve two masters (2).
A “p-r-i-d-e-c-t-o-m-y” (removal of pride) can be a very painful operation with many embarrassing and heart-breaking set backs on the road to spiritual maturity.
Meekness is the antithesis of pride.
Meekness, that being the tendency to submit to the control, plans, and or interests of others over our own, is often misidentified as a weakness.
“Givers” will be used by “takers.” Takers, not having the mind of Christ (3), do not understand (4) the joy that givers receive when they give sacrificially to benefit others.
Meekness can actually require great strength, as it runs contrary to just about everything that our self-centered, self-willed, manipulative, fallen nature would have us think, say, and do.
Fallen Man is not naturally inclined to submit to anything or anyone, be it God, other people, or organizational requirements.
His or her compliance with authority is a forced issue, other than when he or she uses it as the means to gain favor in order to secure something desired for oneself.
Human viewpoint has a lot to say about standing up for one self, but not so much about prioritizing God (5), or placing the concerns and interests of other people ahead of our own (6).
Jesus placed having love for other people a close second to the greatest commandment in the Old Testament Law.
“ ‘… YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF (Matt. 22: 37- 39 NASB2020).”
Paul, in his letter to the believers in Philippi, expanded on this principle.
“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also the interests of others (Phil. 2: 4 NASB2020) .”
Scripture (7) teaches that there is a close relationship between how we interact with people whom we offend, with whom have offended us, and our fellowship and worship of God.
Love can be DEFINED in different ways, but can only be MEASURED by the extent that one is willing to make self-sacrifices in behalf of the object of his/her love.
Our love for God and our love for the ones in positions of delegated authority is best demonstrated by obedience (8).
Initially, applying the principles of putting God, and especially the interests of other people, ahead of our own, may take enforced humility on our part, but as we spiritually mature, it will become genuine humility.
That being said, there are times when one must draw the line when the comes to submitting to the desires and plans of other people with whom we share a loving relationship (9).
In closing, keep in mind that there are times when advancing disciples are called to refuse to submit and thereby suffer the consequences of insubordination in their relationships with those in positions of authority, and or with those with whom we share a personal relationship.
These time are whenever such submissions or compliance would cause one to commit, condone, facilitate, enable, or promote sin or evil.
Under these circumstances, our meekness can become a weakness if we compromise our spiritual convictions.
The blessed meek ones of Matt. 5: 5, that will inherit the world, are the ones that submit to the leadership of God the Holy Spirit.
These are born-again believers who, by executing the post salvation spiritual life of discipleship, glorify God in Time, and will reign with Him in Glory.
_____
(1) James 4: 4b (2) Matt. 6: 24 (3) 1Cor. 2: 16 (4) 1Cor. 2: 14 (5) Matt. 22: 37/Luke 14: 26 (6) Phil. 2: 4 (7) James 5:16/Matt. 6: 15/Matt 5: 24 (8) John 14: 15 (9) Luke 14: 26
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Blessings