8月22日

標　　題：溫柔的人

經　　節：溫柔的人有福了！因為他們必承受地土。（馬太福音五章5節）

大家一提到溫柔，通常就想到軟弱。耶穌使溫柔這個字有不同的意義。他對溫柔的描繪是一匹完全馴服的種馬。這匹馬曾經竭力掙脫控制，並且用盡全力拒絕被指揮，然而，牠現在完全順服牠的主人。這匹種馬並沒有失去它的力量或忍耐，它只是完全將這些主權交給主人。

對基督徒而言，順服需要我們將意志全然順服主。溫柔並不是順服身邊每一個人，而是走神要我們走的方向。溫柔代表我們不需要保護自己的權益，而是讓主為我們辯護。溫柔代表一個順服聖靈的生命，願讓神自由地在我們身上，改變他認為需要改變之處。溫柔包括節制，節制是來自全心地信任神。溫柔會表現出忍耐的態度，願讓神處理自己所遇見的不公。

耶穌的生命是溫柔的典範。他可以吩咐一整個軍團的天使，把他由十字架上救下來，然而，祂允許罪人折磨自己，並且殺了自己。雖然耶穌不是沒能力保護自己，但他選擇在神的旨意中全然順服。他順服乃是因為完全相信天父。當我們懷疑天父時，我們傾向於用自己的力量解決事情，而不是倚靠他的大能。耶穌說，把我們的生命主權交給神，我們將得到豐盛的生命。

The Meek

"Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5)

In popular thinking the term meek implies weakness. The word Jesus used had a different meaning. His picture of meekness is that of a stallion that has been brought into subjection to its master. Whereas it once fought against any attempt to bring it under control, resisting direction with all its strength, now it yields its will to its master. The stallion has lost none of its strength or endurance; it has simply turned these over to the control of the master.

For the Christian, meekness requires submitting our will to the Master. Meekness is not submitting to everyone around us, it is taking our direction from God. Meekness means that we do not have to defend our rights, but we allow the Lord to defend us. Meekness means a life that is submissive to the Holy Spirit, giving Him the freedom to make any changes He knows are necessary. Meekness involves a self-control that comes from trusting God. Meekness demonstrates an attitude of long-suffering that allows God to deal with the injustices we face.

Jesus’ life was the paragon of meekness. He could have called upon legions of angels to remove Him from the cross, yet He allowed sinners to torture and kill Him. Although Jesus was by no means powerless to defend Himself, He chose to yield His life to the Father’s will. He did this because He trusted the Father completely. When we doubt the Father, we tend to act in our own strength, rather than relying on His power. Jesus said that in relinquishing control over our lives to God, we will gain life in abundance!