In this series on Matthew 5:5 we’ve explored biblical meekness in the character of God and in the Scriptures. Now we turn to the practical application in our current cultural moment.
Our culture now, both inside and outside the church, is wrestling with the issue of power. Outside the church, the issues of power, privilege and oppression are central to our cultural debate. Inside the church, we are faced with a situation that demands a biblical approach to power: the eroding of our religious liberty.
Power in the Wider Culture
Our culture is currently stuck in a complicated web of secular doctrines that go by names like “critical theory” and “intersectionality”. The discussion around power has become centered around identity politics and distinguishing between the “have’s” and “have-not’s”.
Power, as viewed by many on the left, is a zero-sum game. If one person has power, they will use it to abuse those without. Indeed, this is the natural order of things for all of world history. The powerful prey on the weak. It’s natural in a sinful world.
Therefore, the left’s solution is to take power from the “oppressors” and redistribute it to the “oppressed”. But we are beginning to see how this simply doesn’t fix the problem, it just changes the direction of the problem. The problem of abused power still persists but the “oppressors” and “oppressed” are simply switching seats.
Power in the Church
The church, organized religion, has faced this power shift because it has fallen into the “oppressor” category as defined by the Left. The result: the church has begun to fight the Left at its own battle. The power struggle is real and is growing more intense.
Donald Trump’s election in 2016 (and perhaps more vividly, his campaign in 2020) illustrates this well.
The conservative church clutches its power in culture with white-knuckled hands and gritted teeth. When it seems to slip, as it did in 2020, the church fights back with conspiracy and violence.
The Need for Meekness
As the power struggle in our culture continues, and as the church continues to wrestle with its approach to power, it’s important to apply the biblical prescription in Matthew 5:5.
Power is not something to be ashamed of, or something to be abused. It is something to be stewarded. The church is called to be a countercultural example of sacrificial and gentle power. Our power is from God and therefore is unconquerable. Nothing can defeat us. But we do not proclaim this with haughty triumphalism. We understand that this power of God, afforded to us, is from the Gospel (Romans 1:16). Therefore, it is a power that lies down selfish desire for the cause of love.
Meekness doesn’t equal weakness. God has given us the power and confidence to stand firm in our culture and fight for truth and justice. Meekness is power guided by compassion. As the culture around us swirls around in chaos, the church can be a gentle reminder of truth, backed by the power of God himself.