昨天我們提到，宇宙對於一些有侵略性的人的苛求，不會給予任何回應。承受地土的是溫柔的人，即是那些柔順、順服和降服的人。英國社會學家赫胥黎（Thomas Huxley）曾說：「科學要求我們要好像小孩子一樣降服在事實面前、要放棄任何先入為主的觀念、願意接受在大自然的引領下一切的結果，否則你只會一無所知。」

今天，我打算與你集中思想在八福裡所描述的溫柔這種素質（溫柔有時翻譯為謙卑或柔和）。那不是一種與生俱來的氣質，而是因為認識基督、順服基督的結果。當然，八福闡述的所有素質都是這樣──它們是屬靈的特徵，不是自然的表現。這一點我需要再詳加解釋，因為很多基督徒說：「我天生富侵略性，所以我不可能成為溫柔和溫和的人。」

每一位基督徒，無論本身個性怎樣，也可以成為溫柔的人。這種溫柔與自然品性無關，因為它是由神的靈製造出來的素質，就好像大衛這樣有能力和非凡本性的人，也有他溫柔的一面。又好像使徒保羅這樣的人，智慧過人，個性有力而出眾，但不要忘記他有極大的謙卑以及柔和的心。這些人怎能有這麼美好的修養呢？不是因為他們天生傾向溫柔，而是因為基督和聖靈居住在他們的內心。這不是來自天生的基因，而是來自神的恩典。

Yesterday we touched on the point that the universe will not respond to the aggressive, who approach it in a demanding spirit. It is the meek - those who are yielded, submissive and compliant - who inherit the earth. Thomas Huxley is quoted as saying something which we commented on earlier: "Science says to sit down before the facts like a little child, be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, be willing to be led to whatever end nature will lead you, or you will know nothing."

Today we must focus our thinking on the fact that the quality of meekness (sometimes translated as humility or gentleness) described in is not the result of natural temperament, but comes from knowing Christ and abiding in Him. That goes, of course, for all the qualities enunciated in - they are spiritual characteristics, not natural ones. This point needs elaborating, for there are many Christians who say: "I am aggressive by nature, so it is not possible for me to be a meek and mild person."

Every Christian, whatever their natural temperament, is meant to be meek. It is not a matter of natural disposition; it is a quality produced by the Spirit of God. Think of the powerful and extraordinary nature of a man like David - and yet observe his meekness. Look at a man like Paul the apostle, a master mind, a powerful and outstanding personality, yet consider his great humility and gentleness. How did these men get to be like this? Not because of a natural proneness toward meekness, but because they were indwelt by Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is not a matter of genes; it is a matter of grace.