What is Your Inheritance?
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Being Defensive
Being Defensive
Early on in life most of us would admit that our reputation, character, and the things that other people think about us is vital for ourselves and our family.
Whether it is in our culture where the self is what is at stake or in the east where shame brought upon the family is at stake, we are not gentle when it comes to defending ourselves.
Just look to social media and see the comments people place about one another.
Becoming immediately defensive upon a position does not allow people to understand one another.
There have been many times in my life where others have sought to injure me or my character. Anytime one is placed in a position where others are observing them in their daily routine, or their position of leadership, or their beliefs, people will attempt to tear that down.
This is not something which they are mindful of fully. Meaning some people are still disillusioned to believe they must tear others down who are exalting themselves.
Instead, we are encouraged to be gentle and like Christ.
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks"
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks"
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Queen Gertrude has said this line and ever since this ironic sarcasm has been attributed to any who protest so much that they appear guilty.
How often have you gotten so upset over being accused of something you know full well you are not guilty of?
Instead of you gathering the information necessary for defending yourself or just going about your life knowing that the charges against your character are based on opinions and baseless accusations you have immediately went on the defensive to destroy your accusers or attackers.
If we are honest with ourselves it is easy to remember the times where we became defensive.
There are times when people and countries must defend themselves. Especially when the lives of those who are weak and incapable of defending themselves exists.
However, there is a greater lesson for those who remain meek, gentle, lowly, and do not go to battle immediately for reasons unnecessary.
How to be Gentle and Meek
How to be Gentle and Meek
A gentle touch, gentle words, and gentle reminders from loved ones is comforting, necessary for building relationships with others, and fulfills the kindness that comes from Jesus.
“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
English Standard Version (Chapter 5)
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Do you consider yourself gentle and meek? If we are to imitate Christ as His disciple to show the world how we follow Him and believe His words are true, meekness and gentleness must be a character trait.
This is often contradictory to the defending nature we take up for ourselves in times of struggles with others.
In the face of adversity, Jesus knew the affliction that was to come. Often we believe we have such a hedge of protection around us that we will never be attacked or our characters will never be tested.
He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.
When Philip is aiding the Ethiopian in understanding Jesus Christ, it was this passage from Isaiah that aided in the baptism and belief in who Jesus Christ is.
Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “He was led as a sheep to slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He does not open His mouth.
“In humiliation His judgment was taken away; Who will relate His generation? For His life is removed from the earth.”
When we truly investigate the nature of Jesus Christ, we see the gentleness before Him and the ways in which He responded to His accusers.
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”
And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer.
Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”
And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.
Once Jesus was brought forth, He had so much faith in His father that He allowed the accusers to carry out their plot against Him.
How many of us would allow that very thing to occur. How many of you would instead burn down everything around you and fight tooth and nail to prove your innocence?
When the opportunity arose in the garden, Jesus reminded Peter that the ability to protect Himself existed.
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.
“Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
Are you always preparing to do battle with the world? Are you always preparing to be on the defensive if you are attacked? If your family is attacked, are you more willing to exact revenge and take justice for whatever wrong you feel is being done against you or do you pray for that other party’s eyes to be opened to who Jesus Christ is and what He has accomplished.
Because of Jesus’ faith in God the Father, His obedience became greater before the world than fighting back immediately.
Our enemy wants us to fight back so hard that we forget to surrender to God in His sovereignty.
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
This is difficult for us to hear and we want vengeance now. We want those who have hurt us to be hurt in the same manner but this is not the way of God. Jesus’ humility and meek character allowed the strength of God to be fully realized after the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ.
In your baptism and in your belief, this is the lowly character that you must imitate and understand. Instead of going against your accusers, becoming gentle in heart, gentle in purpose, and understanding the power that created the universe is residing within you to carry out His will, your faith will be strengthened.
What is the reward for waiting?
What is the reward for waiting?
Your inheritance is the earth. Not this earth but the one initially created by God as whole, full, and in His presence. We will be able to dwell in the good earth created by God for the purpose of eternal dwelling with Him.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,
and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
If your faith is like Jesus’ your humility must extend beyond the initial surrender to God. It must become part of your life. Your meekness must exude from your character in that your strength is shown in your weakness. It is explained in your obedience to Christ. Your belief is in the hope that the world eternal only exists when Jesus Christ brings in the new heaven and new earth after His vengeance is taken and not our own.