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Meditations on Meekness - Part 5

Blog - Meekness 5

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:1-2).

Titus is on the island of Crete. Paul wants him there to set in order the things that remain in the churches and to ordain godly leaders (Titus 1:5). And he is also to teach Christians how to conduct themselves in an anti-Christian culture. They are to live so “that the word of God may not be reviled” (Titus 2:5), “that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (Titus 2:8), and “that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10). In other words, our transformed lives testify to the saving power of the Gospel. Our behaviour has an evangelistic purpose. Christ does not promise us the culture he promises us the church – “I will build my church…” (Matt. 16:18). However, the culture will observe our behaviour.

So the main point I want to make is that meekness is missional. Paul lists seven virtues in chapter 3 and verses 1 and 2. Notice the last one, “to show perfect courtesy”. The Greek says, endeiknymenous prauteta – “showing meekness”. That’s the word “meekness” in the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:5 – praut