Rooted in Jesus Grace

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” — Matthew 5:5 When Jesus pronounced blessing on “the meek,” He spoke words that still challenge our deepest instincts. In a world that rewards dominance, boldness, and assertiveness, meekness seems like weakness. But in  The Blessing of Humility , Jerry Bridges peels back our cultural assumptions to reveal that biblical meekness is not weakness—it’s strength under control. And it’s one of the clearest marks of a truly humble heart. Meekness Misunderstood For many, meekness conjures up images of passivity, timidity, or being a pushover. But nothing could be further from the biblical concept. Meekness, as Bridges explains, is a form of spiritual power—a quiet, resilient strength that refuses to retaliate, insists on gentleness, and entrusts justice to God. It is the ability to bear insults without lashing out, to suffer wrong without bitterness, and to submit our rights, our reputations, and even our wounds to the Lord. This i...

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4 At first glance, Jesus’ second Beatitude seems paradoxical. How can mourning lead to blessing? How can sorrow bring comfort? In our culture, mourning is something to avoid, deny, or quickly escape. Yet in  The Blessing of Humility , Jerry Bridges reveals that this mourning is not ordinary sorrow—it is spiritual grief over sin. And far from being morbid or depressive, this mourning is evidence of a humble heart being transformed by grace. Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Guilt Bridges is careful to distinguish between  godly sorrow  and  worldly guilt . The mourning Jesus speaks of is not self-pity or regret because we got caught. It is not despair over consequences or damage to our reputation. It is a deep, heartfelt sorrow because we have offended a holy God. It is, as Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 7:10, “godly grief [that] produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret.” Worldly guilt l...

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:3 At the very outset of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus delivers a countercultural bombshell. The people who are truly blessed—those who belong to the kingdom of heaven—are not the strong, the self-sufficient, or the morally impressive. They are the “poor in spirit.” In  The Blessing of Humility , Jerry Bridges takes us into the heart of this beatitude and opens a window into the beauty of true spiritual humility. To be “poor in spirit” is to acknowledge, at the most fundamental level, that we bring nothing to God but our need. It is not a poverty of material wealth, nor is it low self-esteem. It is a sober realization of our spiritual bankruptcy apart from God. Bridges emphasizes that this is the foundation of all genuine humility. Before we can live lives marked by Christlike meekness, mercy, or purity, we must begin with this soul-deep confession: “I have nothing in myself to commend me to God.” Th...

Peacemaking Is… A Biblical Journey from Conflict to Reconciliation Conflict is one of life’s inevitable realities. Every relationship—whether in marriage, church, workplace, or community—faces moments of tension, disagreement, and hurt. How we respond to these conflicts can either lead to deeper division or to healing and restoration. Ken Sande’s  The Peacemaker  offers a profoundly biblical and practical guide to approaching conflict. At its heart, peacemaking is not about avoiding conflict or winning arguments, but about embracing a redemptive path that honors God, restores relationships, and reflects Christ’s love. Here’s a comprehensive summary of what peacemaking truly is—and what it is not. What Peacemaking Is Not Many people think peacemaking means simply staying silent or pretending everything is okay. Others imagine it as aggressively defending their position or attacking the other person. Sometimes, people enable harmful behaviors by ignoring problems or sweeping con...

In a world filled with division, conflict, and broken relationships, the church has a unique and vital role to play. Ken Sande, in his influential book  The Peacemaker , highlights this beautifully by calling the church a  “community of peacemakers.”  This is more than just a nice phrase — it’s a profound calling and identity for the body of Christ. Why the Church Must Be a Community of Peacemakers The church is God’s design for reconciliation. We are the people through whom the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15) is to be lived out and displayed. The conflicts we face — between individuals, groups, or even within ourselves — become opportunities to show God’s grace and power to restore brokenness. Ken Sande points out that when peacemaking is embraced within the church community, three transformational things happen: 1. The Gospel Is Made Visible Conflict is inevitable. What sets the church apart is  how  we handle it. When believers actively pursue peace, confess...

Conflict is inevitable wherever people live and work together. Yet, how we respond to conflict can either deepen wounds or foster healing, growth, and stronger relationships. In his influential book  The Peacemaker , Ken Sande not only lays out biblical principles for resolving disputes but also thoughtfully applies these principles to a variety of real-world contexts: marriages, churches, workplaces, legal conflicts, and leadership disputes. Understanding how peacemaking works in these specific arenas equips us to pursue peace wisely and proactively, with a heart for prevention as much as resolution. Let’s explore how Sande’s guidance helps us navigate conflict in these key areas of life. 1. Peacemaking in Marriage: Guarding the Most Intimate Relationship Marriage is often called the closest and most vulnerable human relationship. Sande emphasizes that conflict in marriage requires special attention because the stakes are high—not only for the couple but for any children involved....