Character-building Values
How to develop and maintain a Godly character.
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Being Meek
Definition
Meekness is the consistent characteristic of submissiveness. Meekness is to present oneself in every situation as one who lives under the rule and directive of another. Meekness is living in absolute self-surrender to the will of God.
Scriptural Teaching
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34)
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (John 6:38)
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)
Characteristic Explained
Meekness is expressed in living with a spirit of submissiveness for the sake of Christ. Resistance, stubbornness, self-will, and sometimes rebellion express the opposite of meekness. Meekness is seen when we choose to rather be the least, or wronged, than to fight and resist the wrong done to us. Christ was “like a Lamb before the slaughter.” He did not open His mouth or resist the injustice done to Him. Meekness requires the absolute surrender of any form of entitlement. The strength of meekness is seen in its full reliance on the God who sees and will let justice be done in the end.
Life Application
We are meek when we submit ourselves to the will of God and trust Him for a favorable outcome rather than fight for what we believe to be right. Joseph is one of the greatest examples to us of a man who lived in absolute meekness and entrusted himself to God regardless of the injustices done to him. We show meekness when we give expression, in everything we do, that we will only do what the Lord would have us do and say. Moses is another great example of someone who entrusted himself entirely to the will and determination of the Lord, especially when God determined that he would not enter the Promised Land himself. Obliging himself to the will of God entirely is possibly one of the greatest examples to us of being meek and submitting to the will of God.
Prayer
“Lord, I fully submit myself to Your supreme Rulership in and over my life. Whatever you determine is best in my life is what I want. Amen.”
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
We all aspire to be people of high integrity, with well-balanced personalities, good character, and pleasant to be around. But how can we develop such a noble, Christ-like character?
Nations and households rely on mutually embraced values—they often form a moral and social fiber that makes everyone stronger. These values become a visible demonstration of the beliefs we hold.
As Christians, we base our values on teachings from the Bible. In fact, most cultures build their social fiber on the core values taught by the Bible, such as forgiveness, love, and being kind, gracious, and compassionate. In this book, consider questions such as:
• What are the values of the kingdom of God?
• How can we build values into our life?
• How can we grow and nourish our spiritual roots?
• Where do we put down roots?
Values are the fruit we bear from the decisions we make, influenced by trying to follow the example of Christ. When you bow your knees to the Lord and rely on Him as your rock and foundation, you will enjoy tremendous rewards.
About the Author
Hendrik Vorster is the missional leader of Cornerstone Ministries International, which oversees thousands of churches and leaders in Australasia, Southeast Asia, India, Pakistan, and Africa. He has served on the Church Growth International Board of Directors of Dr. Yonggi Cho since 1999. He also serves as the international director of training for the Surge Project. He has helped church planters in over seventy countries on six continents since 1987. He is married with five adult children and a growing number of grandchildren.