The Beatitudes: Strength Under Control
The Beatitudes: Strength Under Control
The bite force of a German Shepherd is strong enough to break bones and require major surgery. However, when it is properly trained, a German Shepherd can control its bite and only cause discomfort without causing harm or breaking the skin. That is strength under control. That is what the Bible means when by meekness.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” People often equate meekness with weakness. In their mind, they believe that they must deny their strengths and abilities. They think their strength has to become useless. However, meekness is not putting away your strength and abilities, it is redirecting them. The way that we redirect them is by placing them under the control of God.
Placing our strength under God’s control means refusing to inflate our own selves and using our strengths for the benefit of others. We do this by serving them, treating them better than we treat ourselves, and by accepting our own limitations.
The result of meekness is inheriting the earth. You don’t inherit something by taking it by force. Instead, it is given to you. When our strength is under our own control, we strive for power and prestige. We begin thinking that our way is the right way and the only way. This is the world’s path to success. Like everything else the world teaches, it ends in destruction.
Jesus’ way is different. His own description of Himself was that of being meek (Matthew 11:29). He did not deny His own strengths and abilities as He testified to John’s disciples in Matthew 11:5 “the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” He accomplished all of this because He was completely submitted to His Father.
Like a German Shepherd, Jesus had the power to crush. He could have summoned an angel army to rescue Him from the cross. He could have instantly wiped out the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the whole Roman Empire with one word. Instead, He chose to be meek and offered us forgiveness, mercy, and grace. He could have crushed but instead He showed us strength under control. If we are going to follow Him, shouldn’t we strive to become the same?
These are your Words for Wednesday.
If you have not had an opportunity to sign your covenant commitment, you can still bring your form this coming Sunday. The large covenant poster will also be available for you to sign as well. I hope to see each of you this Sunday morning at 10:45 at Ballentine Elementary School. Have a great rest of your week!
In Christ,
Kevin
The bite force of a German Shepherd is strong enough to break bones and require major surgery. However, when it is properly trained, a German Shepherd can control its bite and only cause discomfort without causing harm or breaking the skin. That is strength under control. That is what the Bible means when by meekness.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” People often equate meekness with weakness. In their mind, they believe that they must deny their strengths and abilities. They think their strength has to become useless. However, meekness is not putting away your strength and abilities, it is redirecting them. The way that we redirect them is by placing them under the control of God.
Placing our strength under God’s control means refusing to inflate our own selves and using our strengths for the benefit of others. We do this by serving them, treating them better than we treat ourselves, and by accepting our own limitations.
The result of meekness is inheriting the earth. You don’t inherit something by taking it by force. Instead, it is given to you. When our strength is under our own control, we strive for power and prestige. We begin thinking that our way is the right way and the only way. This is the world’s path to success. Like everything else the world teaches, it ends in destruction.
Jesus’ way is different. His own description of Himself was that of being meek (Matthew 11:29). He did not deny His own strengths and abilities as He testified to John’s disciples in Matthew 11:5 “the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” He accomplished all of this because He was completely submitted to His Father.
Like a German Shepherd, Jesus had the power to crush. He could have summoned an angel army to rescue Him from the cross. He could have instantly wiped out the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the whole Roman Empire with one word. Instead, He chose to be meek and offered us forgiveness, mercy, and grace. He could have crushed but instead He showed us strength under control. If we are going to follow Him, shouldn’t we strive to become the same?
These are your Words for Wednesday.
If you have not had an opportunity to sign your covenant commitment, you can still bring your form this coming Sunday. The large covenant poster will also be available for you to sign as well. I hope to see each of you this Sunday morning at 10:45 at Ballentine Elementary School. Have a great rest of your week!
In Christ,
Kevin
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