Dear Friends,
There is a word – a concept actually – that I keep encountering as I read through the New Testament. It’s an idea whose time has apparently passed. A virtue which is now seen as weakness.
I’m talking about gentleness.
Spend time on social media, especially in the days leading up to an election, and you will see a decided absence of gentleness on display from men and women who claim to be disciples of Jesus. You don’t get as many likes or clicks with gentleness as you get with sarcasm or snark.
People often see gentleness and boldness as antonyms. They’re not. Boldness is not the same as harshness. We can – and must – speak the truth in love. We can – and must – be both bold and gentle simultaneously.
As author Dane Ortlund has pointed out, gentle is one of only two words Jesus uses to describe Himself. The other is lowly. “Jesus is not trigger-happy,” Ortlund says. “Not harsh, reactionary, easily exasperated. He is the most understanding person in the universe. The posture most natural to him is not a pointed finger but open arms… (He is) Meek. Humble. Gentle.”
We think gentle means soft. And it can. A gentle breeze is soft. It refreshes without destabilizing. A gentle slope moves you onward and upward without leaving you exhausted. A gentle smile is a subtle sign of affection or approval.
The Greek word translated gentle in Matthew 11 is the word praus, which can also be translated “meek.” Meekness doesn’t mean weakness, as many assume. It means strength under control. A meek person is someone who can restrain his or her passions. Someone who is self-controlled.
In the Old Testament, God is described as gentle. David, in Psalm 18, says to God “You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great” (Psalm 18:35). To deal gently with someone requires a caring heart, a humble attitude and a merciful spirit. In Isaiah 40, the Messiah is pictured as a shepherd who leads His flock, gathering them in His arms and gently leading the young ones.
Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. When you walk by and are filled with the Spirit, your demeanor toward others will be marked by gentleness. It is one of the “above reproach” characteristics required of those men who are set apart to serve as elders (1 Timothy 3:3).
Paul tells Titus that he is to remind those under his pastoral care that they are to be submissive to rulers and authorities, obedient, ready for every good work, speaking evil of no one. They are to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. (Titus 3:1-2).
Peter tells wives that their gentle and quiet spirit is both imperishably beautiful and precious in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:4).
And if someone asks us about the hope we have in Christ, Peter says we should answer them with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
The 19th century pastor and hymnwriter George Bethune said, “Perhaps no grace is less prayed for, or less cultivated than gentleness… seldom do we reflect that not to be gentle is sin.”
Did you catch that? Not to be gentle is a sin. In person. Online. In text messages. To be Christ-like is to be gentle.
I don’t expect to see a gentleness resurgence in the days leading up to or following the election. I expect the discourse to continue to be strident and loud, turned up to 11. Gentleness, it appears, is seen as a losing strategy if the goal is to win the day.
We can’t be gentle, we’re told. Don’t we know what time it is?
I do. It’s time for us to embrace the quiet confidence that comes from resting in the goodness and sovereignty of God and as a result, for our gentleness to be known by all (Philippians 4:5).
There were cars lining David O’Dodd tonight in front of our church. And your candy contributions did not go to waste! We had hundreds of kids join us for our Trunk Or Treat Event, and gave away more than 150 gospel coloring books to kids!
Take a look!
Thanks to Jen Gurney and to all who pitched in to make the night a great success
Do you have the November Redeemer Men’s Institute meeting on your calendar? In two weeks, we will be talking about theological triage and how we can determine which theological issues are critical and which are less important. Whether you’ve attended either of our first two events or not, every man is welcome (that includes young men who are interested).
I hope our eleven week series focusing on the evidences of Christian maturity has caused you to take stock of where you are and where you need to focus as you continue to grow in grace. Even though the series is over, we’ll leave the four banners in our worship center in place so we can remember our assignment – to continue to grow as worshippers, followers and servants, and to boldly tell others about Jesus.
This week, we jump back into the book of Revelation where we are introduced to the first of two beasts who make it their aim to disrupt and dishearten God’s people. Just who is this beast? And how should we respond to his attacks? We’ll find out on Sunday.
See you in church.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
Resource Info
