Nearing the end of his second letter to the Corinthians, the beloved Apostle uses these pleading words: "Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:11Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: (2 Corinthians 10:1)).
Here was the sovereign remedy for softening hard hearts, calming angry spirits, and humbling proud wills.
Meekness is a treasure to be sought.
If we feel that in us there is a deficiency of meekness, and perhaps some pride, what shall we do but seek Him in whom all meekness dwells? And is it not also true that gentleness is the result of a meek spirit, the fruit of a plant rooted in the nature of that meek and lowly One whose yoke we share?
"The fruit of the Spirit is... meekness" (Gal. b:22, 23).
Thus Paul taught the Galatians, and then in his practical way bids them make use of it in dealing with a brother overtaken by a fault:
Meekness will aim at restoration, rather than indulge in condemnation. It will be saying, I must be gentle, because tomorrow I may be in this same strait.
Nowhere is the need of meekness and gentleness more urgent than in the household of God. At no time is it harder to exhibit and practice meekness than when dealing with the disorderly, fainthearted, and weak members of the family. Only by wearing it constantly as one of the beautiful garments of grace, can we expect to be able to manifest it when specific occasion requires.
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,... meekness.... And above all these things put on charity [love], which is the bond of perfectness" (Col. 3:12-1412Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (Colossians 3:12‑14)).
This is the Christian's judicial robe in which forbearance and forgiveness will be granted on a heavenly scale. "Even as Christ forgave you."
With the garment goes the interior adornment, for the eye which looks for more than outward beauty:
In days when great gifts are so coveted and esteemed, and are so dangerous, let us not undervalue what He so highly prizes. It is a grace equally becoming to the young and old sister or brother in Christ.
Meekness is connected with keeping "the unity of the Spirit."
Without these things there can be no practical expression of the oneness of the body of Christ. With them, how could heresy, high-mindedness, and other disruptive forces ever exist? The Lord knows them that are His. If we desire to manifest to them the preciousness of the place and portion which we, through grace, enjoy, meekness and wisdom far beyond our natural powers are necessary and available.
And if we consider the largest circle of our testimony, that is, the world at large, those quiet virtues have their place. We are "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men." Titus 3:22To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. (Titus 3:2). Why? Because "We ourselves also were sometime foolish" (v. 3).
All we possess we owe to the kindness and love of God our Savior. Who are we that we should be anything but meek and gentle?
"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith" (1 Tim. 6:11, 1211But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:11‑12)).
First flee as Joseph fled (Gen. 39); then follow hard as Caleb followed; then fight as Joshua fought, with full assurance of victory.
To be meek is not to be weak, morally or spiritually. Moses, renowned for his meekness (Numb. 12:33(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) (Numbers 12:3)), was also renowned for his inflexible faithfulness (v. 7). The gracious lips of Him who is "meek and lowly in heart," blazed with fiery indignation against the scribes and Pharisees. We may safely follow our blessed Lord's steps, but with unshod feet, for we are prone to error. If so be that we must act in judgment, let it be on our knees in meekness and gentleness, for we ourselves need daily mercy as we need our daily bread.
"O patient, spotless One,
Our hearts in meekness train,
To bear Thy yoke, and learn of Thee,
That we may rest obtain."
The anxiety that dreads an evil thing on the morrow is nothing but unbelief. When tomorrow comes, the evil may not be there; if it comes, God will be there too. When the heart bows to the will of God about some sorrow that we dread, how often a sorrow is taken away, and the Lord meets us with unexpected kindness and goodness. He is able to make even the sorrow to be all blessing. Whatever be His will, it is good.