Jesus taught as part of what we call the Beatitudes:
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Mt. 5:5
In understanding the character of meekness, we can use this description:
Meekness is "the disposition in which we accept God's dealings with us as good, and therefore, without disrupting or resisting. Meekness means to rely on God rather than one's own strength to defend against injustice. Meekness is practiced in knowing that God is using the injuries caused by evil people to purify His elect. We know also that He will deliver His elect in His time. Meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. Rather, the meek trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The meek are not occupied with self at all. Meekness is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of human will"**, as we will see.
In Psalm 37, David examined and described the excellence of the attitude of meekness in the face of the seeming continued success of the wicked. David exhorts us not to fret, or envy those who practice wickedness and self-interest, even though they desire to do harm to the righteous (v. 12, 14, 32), which we also see happening today, and we will increasingly see in these end times. David assured us, as Jesus taught, that despite the plans of the wicked, the meek shall inherit the earth, and will enjoy the abundance of peace (v. 13). David wrote that our spiritual attitude of meekness also includes:
Trust in the LORD (v. 3), Rest in the LORD, waiting patiently (v. 7, 34), Ceasing from anger and wrath towards the temporary success of the wicked (v. 8), Depart from evil (v. 27).
As opposed to observing the evil man, David tells us instead:
"Mark the perfect man (see also Eph. 4:11-13), and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace." v. 37
David promises that, contrary to the destiny of the perfect and righteous man, the end of the wicked is destruction.
As we saw in our description of "meekness", it is a work of the Holy Spirit in us, not of the human will. As David contrasted the meek and the wicked, the apostles contrasted walking in the Spirit as opposed to the flesh:
"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God."
Rom. 8:13-14
All creation is groaning in hope for this manifestation of those who are led by the Holy Spirit, the sons of God, the joint-heirs with Christ (v. 20). The prophet Jeremiah warned that the whole earth is affected by the people of God who walk in opposition to the meekness and other qualities of the Holy Spirit:
"Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but have rejected it."
Jer. 6:19
We are seeing the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy now. God's people are called to walk in the fruit of His Spirit, which we will see below, and not of our own thoughts, which are thoughts of self-interest and self-assertiveness. On the contrary, creation is even delivered from the bondage of corruption described by Jeremiah into the same glorious liberty of the children of God, who are led by His Spirit. The qualities of the Holy Spirit, including meekness, overcome even the sufferings of the corruption of this present time (Rom. 8:18-21). The hope of this deliverance is found in us, the children of God, by the work of the Holy Spirit (v. 22-25). It is by this same hope as the sons of God, that we are called to purify ourselves, as Jesus is pure, for we shall see Him and be like Him in this manner (1 Jn. 3:1-3). The prophet Malachi also prophesied about this same work of purification of the priesthood of God in preparation for His coming:
"But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope." Mal. 3:1-3 (excerpt) (see also Rev. 6:15-17)
Scripture makes clear that we are called to be kings and priests in the Kingdom of God, and therefore, subject to this work of purification.
As we saw above in the description of meekness, and in Psalm 37, we are to trust God that He has control in all circumstances. Paul also wrote that as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit in us, we can know:
"...that all things work together for good for them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Rom. 8:28
Paul wrote that this work of the Holy Spirit in those who are led by the Spirit, was a work destined in us before we were born, even before the foundation of the world. We were foreknown, predestined, called, justified and glorified (Rom. 8:29-30, Jn. 17:22-24) by our God who knows all things, even the end from the beginning. It is based on this spiritual truth, revealed by the Holy Spirit in us, that in all conditions and circumstances, we can hope, trust, and wait patiently in meekness for the LORD, who has already prepared all things.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the opposite of the fruit produced by the works of the flesh, the works of which we see more and more currently. Paul described the fruit of the Holy Spirit this way:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Gal. 5:22-26 (excerpt)
We have been called not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds. As we submit to, in meekness, and receive this transformation of the Holy Spirit into the sons of God, all creation will also be delivered and transformed. This makes Holy Spirit meekness an end time essential.
*The above is based upon the 4/26/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message, to contribute to the Book of Remembrance for Sean Stevenson:
everlastingcovenant@ymail.com
Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God."
Rom. 8:13-14
All creation is groaning in hope for this manifestation of those who are led by the Holy Spirit, the sons of God, the joint-heirs with Christ (v. 20). The prophet Jeremiah warned that the whole earth is affected by the people of God who walk in opposition to the meekness and other qualities of the Holy Spirit:
"Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but have rejected it."
Jer. 6:19
We are seeing the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy now. God's people are called to walk in the fruit of His Spirit, which we will see below, and not of our own thoughts, which are thoughts of self-interest and self-assertiveness. On the contrary, creation is even delivered from the bondage of corruption described by Jeremiah into the same glorious liberty of the children of God, who are led by His Spirit. The qualities of the Holy Spirit, including meekness, overcome even the sufferings of the corruption of this present time (Rom. 8:18-21). The hope of this deliverance is found in us, the children of God, by the work of the Holy Spirit (v. 22-25). It is by this same hope as the sons of God, that we are called to purify ourselves, as Jesus is pure, for we shall see Him and be like Him in this manner (1 Jn. 3:1-3). The prophet Malachi also prophesied about this same work of purification of the priesthood of God in preparation for His coming:
"But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope." Mal. 3:1-3 (excerpt) (see also Rev. 6:15-17)
Scripture makes clear that we are called to be kings and priests in the Kingdom of God, and therefore, subject to this work of purification.
As we saw above in the description of meekness, and in Psalm 37, we are to trust God that He has control in all circumstances. Paul also wrote that as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit in us, we can know:
"...that all things work together for good for them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Rom. 8:28
Paul wrote that this work of the Holy Spirit in those who are led by the Spirit, was a work destined in us before we were born, even before the foundation of the world. We were foreknown, predestined, called, justified and glorified (Rom. 8:29-30, Jn. 17:22-24) by our God who knows all things, even the end from the beginning. It is based on this spiritual truth, revealed by the Holy Spirit in us, that in all conditions and circumstances, we can hope, trust, and wait patiently in meekness for the LORD, who has already prepared all things.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the opposite of the fruit produced by the works of the flesh, the works of which we see more and more currently. Paul described the fruit of the Holy Spirit this way:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Gal. 5:22-26 (excerpt)
We have been called not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds. As we submit to, in meekness, and receive this transformation of the Holy Spirit into the sons of God, all creation will also be delivered and transformed. This makes Holy Spirit meekness an end time essential.
*The above is based upon the 4/26/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message, to contribute to the Book of Remembrance for Sean Stevenson:
Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX 76705
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX 76705
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
everlastingcovenant@ymail.com
To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
**from Strong's Concordance
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
**from Strong's Concordance
To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8 http://endtimeschool.com/
To send testimonies for the Book of Remembrance to be published in the memory of Sean Stevenson:
To send testimonies for the Book of Remembrance to be published in the memory of Sean Stevenson:
You can send your testimonies to:
everlastingcovenant@ymail.com or PO Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705.
Sean Stevenson
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