More, On Meekness

More meditation inspired by A Discourse On Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, Matthew Henry (1662-1714)

It is most natural for men to offend and provoke. His deeply tainted soul predisposes him to offence, rather than encouragement or brotherly kindness.

Foolish creatures as we are will offend.

While here in this world, we must not expect to interact with angels or the spirits of justified men & women made perfect; no, we are obliged to live among creatures that are:

* Foolish
* Corrupt
* Irritable and discontented
* Gossipy
* Lazy and irresponsible
* Provoking
* Quick to anger
* Self-centered, seeking advantage over us
* Arrogant
* Slanderous
* Distressed, and thus self-absorbed

What’s to like? Thus, we are commanded to love (that is, be patient and kind toward all, encourage them and seek peace with them if they will have it).

So, shouldn’t we daily expect disappointments and injuries in all of our relationships to men & women. And won’t this low view of men lead us to that high view and intense adoration of Jesus Christ, who never disappoints or injures us?

Even the best men have their defects while we journey here in this imperfect state; every man has some blind spots and that trait that is still ugly by his own self-deceit. The harmony, even between Christian friends and co-laborers, is at times disturbed with sudden, jarring notes. Why, then, are we year after year surprised by these outward displays of inner corruption?

Instead of being angry, we should continuously remind ourselves, “what could I expect but provocation from tainted and fallen men?” Foolish creatures as we are will offend and be offended, and by God’s grace we will receive our share of offense.

God too expects provocation from men. He gives this as a reason for his patience towards a provoking world, because He know it is deep in our fallen natures to be continually provoking Him and others. The Lord God says, "I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth." God declared through Isaiah, " You have never heard, you have never known, from of old your ear has not been opened. For I knew that you would surely deal treacherously, and that from before birth you were called a rebel." What can be expected from men or women if they neglect to labor and fervently pray for sanctification?

In imitation of Christ, shouldn’t we be restrained in our ill feelings toward men knowing their frail frames? Don’t marvel or fret when men act like men. Consider their immense infirmity and colossal corruption while heartily forbearing & forgiving their offences, and by this soulful generosity preserve the meekness and quietness of our own spirits.

The Implanted Word

Inspired by An Examination of Canon Liddon's Bampton Lectures on the Divinity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ © 1872

The metaphor of “the engrafted word” from James 1:21 is lost by contemporary experience. Not so in biblical times or until men left the farms. To engraft horticulturally, is simply to take a shoot, cutting, or small branch from one plant and insert into another plant. The change to the original plant during engrafting is accomplished entirely by the engrafted shoot. Interestingly, the engrafted shoot is then able to bear its own fruit regardless of the fruit-bearing state of the original plant. Modern minds are probably more familiar with engrafted tissue during surgery. This surgical metaphor also illustrates that the healthy change to the original organ during engrafting is accomplished entirely by the engrafted tissue. Thus, when the Word is described as engrafted into our souls, it is the Word alone that accomplishes entirely the change to our hearts by the life-giving quality of this engrafted Word.

When we are in Christ by adoption and He in us by His Spirit, He is Himself engrafted on the old stock of our fallen nature (and we are born-again), giving new life and vitality and enabling the bearing of fruit even though the original man was dead in trespasses and sin. He gives new life to our old, dead natures because He Alone is the Source of Life. Only this implanted Word can save (redeem) our dead souls. All goodness is derived entirely from Him. Oh, thank you Father for the Engrafted Word, Your Son, full of Grace and Truth. No one is more precious now and forever than our loved Jesus, who in the very beginning was the Word.

Idols of the Heart and not being able to “buy or sell”

A meditation on Revelation 13:17
What happens to a churched man who does not have Christ first in his affections when he is confronted with not being able to “buy or sell?”

Let’s say he’s worked decades to occupy that longed-for corner office where his ideas and authority are given free reign. He pays the mortgage on his beloved home with the proceeds of his good labor. And, after all his wife and kids are accustomed to the comforts of their home.

Let’s say he adores his wife and family and wouldn’t think of hating them in comparison to his love for Christ. He must buy and sell to do his duty of providing for them, which he has done so well for so long.

Let’s say he has just paid off the mortgage on that retirement property at the beach on which he will build his hard-earned retirement haven. Or, his retirment nest egg has prospered and is of late worth half a million dollars.

Let’s say he has just had his funding renewed for the non-profit ministry that is doing so much good.

Let’s say the ingrained habit of seeking comfort, security, and pleasure has pushed out the desire to seek first the Kingdom of God and seek to set his mind & affections above.

Will this weak man be able to say no to the Mark?