The Pursuit of God Ch: 9

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of the human race, according to the passage?

Pride and arrogance (correct)

Poverty of spirit and mournfulness

Mercy and purity of heart

Meekness and humility

What does the author suggest is the result of humanity's sinful nature?

A world free from disease and pain

A life of peace and contentment

Heartaches and physical ills (correct)

A society that values mercy and purity of heart

What is the author's attitude towards the Beatitudes?

Admiring and reverent (correct)

Amused and entertained

Critical and dismissive

Indifferent and neutral

What does the author suggest is the impact of culture and education on human nature?

They only refine human nature slightly Signup and view all the answers

What is the tone of the passage?

Somber and introspective Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between 'pretense' and 'hypocrisy'?

'Pretense' is the desire to appear better than one is, while 'hypocrisy' is the act of pretending to have beliefs or values that one does not actually possess. Signup and view all the answers

The author suggests that the burden of 'pretense' is particularly harmful because it:

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's main point in the passage?

To emphasize the importance of humility and authenticity in living a fulfilling life. Signup and view all the answers

According to the author, what is the solution to the burden of 'pretense'?

To seek solace and guidance from God's grace. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a source of burden or anxiety related to 'pretense'?

Fear of being unable to meet societal expectations. Signup and view all the answers

What does Jesus mean by offering rest to those who labor and are heavy laden?

It signifies a release from emotional and spiritual burdens. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the burden that Jesus refers to?

A heavy and crushing emotional burden experienced by all humanity. Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of meekness differ from weakness according to the text?

Meekness represents strength under control while weakness shows inability. Signup and view all the answers

What attitude should a meek person adopt towards criticism and the opinions of others?

They should laugh off insults and not take others' opinions seriously. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate realization a meek man comes to about his worth?

He accepts he is nothing on his own but valued immensely in God's eyes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Meekness and Rest

The Beatitudes reveal the contrast between human nature and the virtues of meekness, emphasizing pride, pleasure-seeking, and cruelty in society.
Human struggles are deeply rooted in sins such as pride, arrogance, and greed, leading to heartaches and unrest; these are more damaging than physical ailments.
Jesus offers a transformative perspective on meekness, stating that the meek will inherit the earth as a blessed state conferred by Him.
The burden of mankind is an internal, existential struggle rather than external oppression; it is a toil that causes exhaustion and distress.
Key to rest is accepting Jesus’ meekness and learning to lay down the burdens of pride and the desire for societal validation.
Meekness involves detaching from the need for worldly esteem, fostering a sense of humor about one’s own flaws, and achieving inner peace.
The meek person recognizes their own limitations while acknowledging their significance in God’s eyes, leading to a state of contentment.
Burdens of pretense stem from societal pressures to present an idealized self; true meekness fosters authenticity without fear of judgment.
Deliverance from the fear of comparison and the pressure to conform are integral parts of finding rest in meekness.
Artificiality and the desire to maintain a facade are prevalent issues that can be alleviated through surrender to Christ's meekness.
Jesus’ invitation to come to Him for rest emphasizes a communal relationship where believers share their burdens with Him.
This process requires courage as it involves rejecting competition and self-comparison and embracing a childlike simplicity in faith.
A personal prayer for meekness expresses a desire for self-forgetfulness, highlighting the need for divine grace to achieve true rest.