Power Under Control

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 KJV

The Beatitudes, spoken by Jesus, are the opening to the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is speaking to His twelve disciples as they came to Him. (Mt.5:1-2) It is important to remember that Jesus is instructing His disciples with the multitude of people listening in. The target of the Beatitudes and the whole Sermon on the Mount were for the disciples and followers of Jesus in our day. The Beatitudes contrast the happiness and fulfillment of life one has as a follower of Christ or as a follower of the world.

Jesus lays out the inner qualities of those who believe in Him. If they allow Him to work his purpose in their lives they will be blessed (happy). Meekness or gentleness is one such inner quality. It is not associated with being weak, but just the opposite, it shows true strength. Some refer to it as “power under control.” It is the self-control the apostle Paul writes about. Humbling ourselves before God and before men by doing the right thing in a way that brings glory to God is true a sign of being meek; showing power under control.  

Meekness or gentleness is a character of a true Christian in the world today, although we do not always let it show. Our one foot in the world at times makes it difficult to restrain ourselves and control our temper. This leads to frustration, unhappiness, and not a very good example of a follower of Jesus. Let us take Jesus’s words for what they are, the truth, and strive to be meek, gentle, and humble. Let us be in control with the help of the Holy Spirit leading to blessings and happiness.