Commentary on "The Fruit of the Spirit is Meekness"

TERRY MIRRA

 

Day 4: Tuesday, February 23, 2010

 

OVERVIEW

This section lists several reasons why meekness is important, giving Bible references along with Ellen G. White quotes.

• Meekness is necessary for receiving God’s Word (James 1:21).
• Meekness is necessary for effective witnessing (1 Peter 3:15, plus Ellen G. White quotes).
• Meekness gives glory to God (1 Peter 3:4, plus Ellen G. White quotes).

It then poses several questions at the end:

• How does putting emphasis on external beauty potentially conflict with the development of the Fruit of the Spirit, particularly with the fruit of meekness?
• As the fruit of meekness grows in you, how should your life be different from what it was before?
• In the area of meekness, what changes have you seen in your life since you’ve accepted Christ?
• What attitudes might you be harboring that make it difficult for you to be meek?

 

OBSERVATIONS

The reasons listed for the importance of meekness are good, especially with the Bible verses. The Ellen G. White quotes are always unnecessary to further explain the Bible; it never needs enlightenment. The paragraph entitled “Meekness gives glory to God” is mostly an E.G. White quote from “The Acts of the Apostles” pp. 523, 524. It emphasizes the need to minimize outward beauty because it “can’t compare in value or loveliness with that ‘meek and quiet spirit’, the ‘fine linen, white and clean’ (Rev. 19:14)” It goes on to quote Rev. 3:4, “This apparel will make them beautiful and beloved here, and will hereafter be their badge of admission to the palace of the King. His promise is, ‘They shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.’ Rev. 3:4.”

First of all, I find it random that external beauty if brought up here at all. While I can see a vague connection, it really isn’t what we’re talking about. Second, the E.G. White quote is confusing a “meek and quiet spirit” with “fine linen, white and clean”. The linen from Rev. 3:4 is referring to an undefiled people (a letter to the Sardis church). This reference is talking about having the righteousness of Christ—they are worthy because of Christ and His completed work on the cross, not meekness. The fruit of meekness is a by-product, or an outpouring from a changed heart that’s indwelt by the Holy Spirit—one that is already worthy because of Christ (Rom. 5:6-11). The downplaying of external beauty and possessing a “meek and quiet spirit” is not their “badge of admission”—the “fine linen, white and clean” signifies being hidden in Christ and taking on His righteousness to be worthy (Col 3:3,4). John 14:6 is very clear on what one’s “badge of admission” is:

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6, emphasis mine).

Another very clear (and familiar) example of how we enter God’s kingdom is John 3:16:

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.” (John 3:16-18, emphasis mine).

The following passage, Titus 3:4-8, explains it plainly and concisely,

“But when the goodness and love for man appeared from God our Savior, He saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This [Spirit] He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.”

These verses really tie together the power of the Holy Spirit (not our works), the origin of our salvation (God’s mercy) and our “badge of admission” (justification by His grace, so we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life).

The questions at the end are pointless unless we understand that it’s all about Christ’s work in us. We can’t “make it happen”-- whether we’re trying to be meek or trying to obtain a “badge of admission”. It’s not about changing our external behavior any more than it’s about our external beauty—we have to be ready and willing to allow God to do a work in us (Gal. 5:16-18, 22-26). John 15:16 says,

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.”

 

SUMMARY

1. Bringing up external beauty was random, not really pertinent to the subject of meekness.
2. The “Acts of the Apostles” quote by E.G. White is confusing and inaccurate in its statement about what the “badge of admission” is to God’s kingdom. It should be clear that our worthiness (fine linen, white and clean) to enter heaven comes from Christ alone. Because of His sacrifice for us, we are counted righteous and are now hidden IN HIM (Col.3:3, 4) This is why we’re counted worthy. It’s not based on anything we do or how we act.
3. It must be emphasized that there is only ONE way (badge of admission) to Christ’s kingdom: Accepting Jesus Christ and believing in Him. No amount of meekness or “a kind and gentle spirit” will earn your way. There is no earning or working your way into God’s kingdom. It’s all about Christ’s work for us.
4. The questions at the end are pointless unless we understand that it’s all about Christ’s work in us. We can’t make anything happen—God produces the fruit in us (John 15:16).

 

GO TO DAY 5

 

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