THE MEEKNESS OF CHRIST

Devotion #1 of 13 "I am meek and lowly in heart" -- Jesus INTRODUCTION Christ, the Object of faith

Christ Jesus is the revealed Object of our faith and attention. Our consideration of Him is the determined means through which we are transformed into His likeness. This is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 3:18. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." In this arrangement, our conformity to His likeness is in direct proportion to our perception of Him. If we lack in this comprehension of Him, we are correspondingly unlike Him in our character. This is a sobering reality, and worthy of our undivided attention.

No place for competitive emphases

There is no room in the kingdom of God for competitive emphases--things that contend with Christ for our attention and devotion. God has invested everything in the Son, giving Him power over all flesh that He might give eternal life to all those who have been given to Him (John 17:2). As we run the race to glory, we do so "looking unto Jesus" (Heb 12:2). It is not possible to make progress in the faith without "looking unto Jesus." Our spiritual growth depends upon the subordination of all competing interests in deference to understanding Christ Jesus. The knowledge of the glory of God is only seen "in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor 4:6). A proper understanding of, and affiliation with, the Lord depends upon our intent interest in the Son of God. There is no eternally effective knowledge of God apart from Christ, in Whom the fulness of God dwells (Col 1:19; 2:9). It is not possible to overemphasize this aspect of the Kingdom.

Salvation brings the best

The Lord has exhibited His most comely qualities in salvation. He has, so to speak, shown us His preferred characteristics; i.e., "I will have mercy and not sacrifice" (Matt 9:13; 12:7). God would rather save us than condemn us. He did not send the Son into the world to condemn it, but that "the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17). He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet 3:9). Again, it is written, " . . . God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 2:3-5). With strong initiative and persistence, God seeks to save humanity. He has provided the means and incentive for everyone to be saved -- and it is all found in the Person of Christ. Those who behold the Son will find abundant reason to seek the salvation of God. They will find in Him sufficient reason to abandon "this present evil world" in quest of a "better country, that is, an heavenly" (Heb 11:16). The meekness of Christ affords an insight into His Person that is refreshing. It will bolster our confidence, and embolden us to follow the Lamb wherever He goes. This is a lesson in the accessibility of Christ Jesus to you. He is reachable. His will is attainable. His salvation, in all of its fulness, is for you.

-- TOMORROW: CHRIST'S MEEKNESS DECLARED --