The Spiritual “Gold Standard”

After describing in the third person an awesome experience of being raptured into paradise, Paul writes, “On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses” (2 Corinthians 12:5). This statement clearly marks Paul as a man whose career was exceptional by worldly standards; yet his meekness prevented him from exploiting his experiences for personal advantage. Doing so would be foolish and unchristian.

This brings us to examine more closely the characteristic that lies at the very heart of Christian character—meekness. Paul used his heavenly vision as a contrast to his earthly hardships and difficulties in order to address what constitutes a believer and servant of Christ. The human tendency is to self-promotion. This is the mark of the unregenerate. Flaws are hidden but strengths are embellished and showcased. Weaknesses are matters of shame. Successes that show achievement are the necessary measure of one’s worth, especially if, by comparison, they reveal how much better one is than another. (See 2 Corinthians 10:12.)

Jesus revealed a different plan for His kingdom. In the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-11), the Lord stated the eight essential qualities that mark a true believer. These qualities are not optional. They are not something we should strive for. They mark one who is a Christian. They may often be clouded by immaturity and carnality, but they must be present. They may be improved or neglected, but they must exist. Among them Jesus cited Psalm 37:11, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Meekness is the gold standard of spiritual disposition.

In concluding the section on his defense, Paul challenged the Corinthians, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Corinthians 13:5). So, what is the test one is to use? It is “Jesus Christ in you.” What does Jesus Christ look like? He was meek (Matthew 11:29); therefore, if He lives in you, will you not also be meek? Was Jesus self-promoting? Did He flaunt His successes and triumphs? If one lives by any other standard, does he not fail the test?

Psalm 37:1-11 is the exposition of meekness. The psalmist begins with the admonition, “Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!” (v. 1). The word translated fret means to “to burn with anger.” Coupled with its counterpart in the second half of the couplet (jealous anger), it describes one who reacts to the successes of others, especially of wrong doers. The anger reveals one’s true nature and the value system he holds. The poet repeats this prohibition against fretting three times (vss. 1, 7, and 8).

The counter admonition is found in verses 3-7. These counter measures do not merely quell anger; they reveal a change of heart, which also changes his standard of value. Instead of envy over another’s achievements, one looks to the Lord and learns his worth in Christ. We will look into these counter-measures more closely in articles to come.