Will you inherit the earth? | Kingdom of heaven

A Christian magazine came to my mail slot with this question on the cover: “Will you inherit the earth?” The answer to the question started to haunt my mind. But the answer of the writer did not satisfy me. He expounded on the beauty of the new earth, and what wonder God will give all Christians when they enter into heaven. It was partially true. But what a pity, nothing was said how to enter in, how to inherit the earth. What is the condition to inherit the earth? I asked myself that question very seriously.

Jesus said that the meek will inherit the earth, but millions believe that they will go to heaven when they die. Will they? Will we?

Millions—perhaps billions—believe that the bliss of heaven is the reward of the saved. The belief is shared not only by most who call themselves Christian, but also by members of many other religions around the world.

Jesus began His teaching on the Sermon on the Mount saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, (those who are not self-exalted, but candid, and of a humble disposition, not too proud to be taught, not vain and ambitious for the honors of the world): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, (those who are penitential, submissive, and who grieve over their failures and errors because the Spirit of God is grieved) for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, (those who are gentle and forgiving, who when reviled, will not revile again, but who manifest a teachable spirit, and do not hold themselves in high esteem): for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:7).

Jesus said that the poor in spirit would be blessed with the Kingdom of heaven. Those who possess these qualities will not only be blessed of God here in this life, but will be crowned with glory, honor, and immortality in His Kingdom! He said that the meek shall inherit the earth. What does meek mean? The Oxford Dictionary defines meek as “tamely submissive.”

Submissive? Is this how I will inherit the earth? Psalm 37:11 says, “But the meek shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Wow, what a beautiful promise. I want this abundance of peace over everything that I possess. This peace is worth the price of gold!

Here is what EW White says:

When unkind discouraging words are spoken, do not retaliate. Do not reply unless you can return a pleasant answer. Say to yourself, “I will not disappoint my Saviour.” The Christian woman is a gentlewoman. On her lips is ever the law of kindness. She utters no hasty words. To speak gentle words when you are irritated will bring sunshine into more smooth. A schoolgirl, when asked for a definition of meekness, said, “Meek people are those who give soft answers to rough questions.” Christ says, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” They will be fit subjects for the kingdom of heaven, for they are willing to be taught (Review and Herald, April 7, 1904).

O, do I ever want to be a subject for the Kingdom of heaven! Am I willing, though, to be taught? No unkind words are ever to be spoken if I feel attacked and misused. EW says this:

Do not say, “It is impossible for to overcome.” Do not say, “It is my nature to do thus and so, and I can not do otherwise. I have inherited weaknesses that male me powerless before temptation.” In your own strength you can not overcome, but help has been laid upon One that is mighty. Breathe the prayer, “Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.” Psalm 25:9 Yes, the Lord says, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (YI1902, 10.2).

The apostle Paul appealed to the Corinthians: “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, 1 Cor.10:1, and Christ Himself said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt 11:29 “It is the love of self that destroys our peace. While self is all alive we stand ready continually to guard it from mortification and insult, but when we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God, we shall not take neglects or slights to heart. We shall be deaf to reproach and blind to scorn and insult…

The meekness of Christ manifested in the home, will make the inmates happy, it provokes no quarrels, give back no angry answers, but soothes the irritated temper and diffuses a gentleness that is felt by all within its charmed circle. Wherever cherished it makes the families on earth a part of the one great family above (MoB, 16-17).

No angry answers, only gentleness felt within my circle. This is how I inherit the earth. God compels us to be fully obedient. No partial obedience is safe, for obedience deferred is disobedience! May our Lord help us not to replace obedience with convenience.

Consider the following statement:

I present before you the life of self-denial, humility and sacrifice of our divine Lord. The Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, left His riches, His splendor, His honor and glory, and in order to save sinful man, condescended to a life of a humility, poverty and shame, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.” Oh, why are we so sensitive to trial and reproach, to shame and suffering, when our Lord has given us such an example? Who would wish to enter into the joy of their Lord while they were unwilling to partake of His sufferings (2T, 490-491).

Let us not be the servants unwilling to bear the humility and shame and reproach which the Master bore unselfishly. Let us not be the servants shrinking from a life of humility and sacrifice which is for our own eternal happiness, by which we may finally obtain an exceedingly great and eternal reward! Let us be partaker with Christ of His suffering, that we may finally share with Him the glory.

Let us think of Jesus, who suffered for us and was silent. He did not complain, even when falsely accused. He rendered no evil for evil, or railing for railing, but had the strength of character to be a blessing even to those who betrayed Him.

I think I found the answer.