Being "Meek" Doesn't Mean "Weak!"

A Chinese man is attempting to make history by becoming the first person to sue his government over the country’s dangerous levels of air pollution.

Li Guixin submitted a complaint to a district court in Hebei province, asking the Shijiazhuang Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau to "perform its duty to control air pollution according to the law,” according to the state-run Chinese language publication Yanzhao Metropolis Daily.

Chinese law reportedly makes it difficult for nongovernmental organizations to sue the government or industries over pollution levels. The BBC said higher courts in the country have already rejected Li’s complaint but that the district court is currently deliberating whether or not to take up his case.

In addition, Li is asking for compensation for residents who are affected by the pollution.  - Pfeiffer, Eric "Man becomes first in China to sue government over dangerous air pollution" The Sideshow February 25, 2014

The illustration article above caught my eye. The Chinese gentleman saw a wrong, and decided to take a stand against his country's government. As far as I know, he is doing this all on his own. Now that, my friends, takes courage!

One of the common misunderstandings about Christianity from the outside world is that once we become a Christian, we are supposed to become mild, weak and unable to stand against oppression. Merriam-Webster defines the term "meek" as: “enduring injury with patience and without resentment, mild, deficient in spirit and courage, submissive, not violent or strong, moderate.”  While some elements of this definition fit what Jesus was commanding us to do, some of those elements do not fit.

We have, in our modern (American) culture, the idea that courage and toughness are synonymous with brashness, rough talk, and lack of concern with etiquette and diplomacy. If you have a person who is properly mannered, concerned with etiquette, the niceties of life, and is known as a humble person; you get the image of a person with no courage, and is easily manipulated.

This image, however, is not anything new. As a matter of fact, a careful reading of history shows that mankind has always held this view to some degree, or another. Indeed,  people in Jesus' day were no different. But Jesus, in Matthew 5:5, is creating a new image. He is creating a person who is a person who is:

a) Courageous, but humble. A person who is not afraid to stand up against evil. A person who lives life without fear. But, this person is also a person who knows their limitations. They know where the source of strength comes from. And, they know that without Jesus, they are nothing. Thus, he does not put himself first, but seeks only to serve his Master.

b) Skilled in conflict against worldly powers. In our fight against Satan and his kingdom, we need to know everything we can to defeat him. We cannot remain ignorant (Ephesians 6:12-17). We have to be students of spiritual warfare. The only way we can do that is by study of the Word.

c) Skilled in the etiquette and diplomacy. This is not just talking about settling disputes. This is about living a lifestyle that makes peace. This is about a person who understands that relationships mean everything. Our relationship to God is measured in how well we get along with other people.

It's about being sensitive to the needs of others, about acting, living and talking in ways that build others up; gives them a sense of well-being, and living in friendship with everyone (Hebrews 12:14-15).

In closing today's message, there are some historians that have said that more territory has been won by diplomacy than by all the wars of history.

If you look at the progress of man in the last several hundred years, you will find instances where rough, illiterate and undiplomatic people have managed to accomplish something important. But, that would be the exception to the norm.

By and large, the greatest accomplishments of man in business, science and human relations have been done by the literate, genteel people who truly care about humanity.

And since the beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ, the building of His kingdom has been accomplished by meek, that is, God’s gentlemen and ladies who have devoted themselves to be servants of the Most High God, because they understand that they will inherit the earth!

Scripture: Luke 6:22; Psalm 37:11; John 14:1; James 5:11; James 4:7; Acts 20:24; Matthew 25:21

Prayer: Dear Lord, please grant me the wisdom to understand that failing at something is just another opportunity to start again. Please help me to never give up. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Claudette