Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5:5

Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth! Matthew 5:5

Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. Galatians 5:23

We are told by Jesus that we are blessed if we are meek, mild, and patient. As we have studied already we cannot help but to be meek and patient because we have the Holy Spirit within us. His power causes us to place others above ourselves. Our Father’s Love that now abides within us allows us to be patient with people regardless of their issues or their sins.

We are also told in the Bible that we will know each other by our fruit and our peace is that our fruit is now produced through us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is our Vine and we are His branches. So our Fruit is Jesus' Fruit! 

Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:20

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. Galatians 5:22-23

With these Truths in mind I want you to think about the people you know who call themselves Christians, especially those who call themselves Christian Leaders. Are these people patient with sinners? Are they patient and meek with notable public figure sinners? How do they speak of politicians who are not pushing Christian values? How do they react to homosexuals? Are they meek and gentle with them, or are they harsh and quick to judge and sentence damnation upon them?

We always need to remember that even our righteousness is as filthy rags. We all have shortcomings. So what if some people have different shortcomings than ours, we all fall short and that doesn’t damn us, because our Father has mercy on us all alike. So if our Father is having mercy on us, why wouldn't we have mercy on others? And don't tell me that people have to ask for mercy or forgiveness first, read about Jesus on the Cross, Stephen while he was being stoned, or Paul when he was falsely imprisoned. Our Father's Mercy is always freely given, even if not asked for.   

For God has consigned (penned up) all men to disobedience, only that He may have mercy on them all [alike]. Romans 11:32

If someone calls themselves an elder, judge them by the way they handle those who are sinners. If they are eager to say how those people are going to Hell, my advice is to watch out for them. If they are patient, and that doesn’t mean that they condone sin, but that they are loving and welcoming of the sinner, then there is a good chance that they are filled with the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Remember that our Father causes us to bless those who curse us, pray for those who despitefully use us, feed our enemies, and cry out for people's forgiveness as they kill us.