To Encourage You

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . gentleness . . . “

One of the most amazing things about our all-powerful Creator is His gentleness. Of all the characteristics that should draw us to Him, surely this is one of the most awesome. Here we have One Who is perfect, One Who has met our every need from the moment of our birth, One Who patiently waits for us to turn to Him during years spent in unabashed and totally unjustified rebellion against Him, and yet He is gentle towards us. As Jesus reached out to those He taught, whom He knew full well would one day cry out for Him to be crucified, He said this: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Then as He hung on the cross in agony, being mocked and treated as harshly as anyone has ever been treated, He said this: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

We are asked the question in Romans 2:4, “Do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” Do you hear that? His kindness leads us to repentance – not His harshness. If anyone turns from their sin to the Lord, it is never because they have been driven to do this. They are never forced. God is gentle in how He deals with us. He is the “perfect gentleman,” if you will. He stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20). He never forces His way into our hearts. He invites us to open the door, but He never makes us do so. He is gentle towards those who rebel against Him. This is an almost inconceivable concept to us, for it’s such a natural human characteristic to be bent on revenge against those who mistreat us whenever opportunity allows. How much more should we, as believers, be gentle towards others in our lives. Unlike Jesus, Who never sinned, we all have done wicked things, and all of us deserve anything but gentleness from the God we have wronged so flagrantly.

Paul reminded Titus of this fact as He told Him how to minister to those Who had yet to believe. Listen to his words from Titus 3:1-7 “Remind them (i.e., new believers) to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Gentleness and courtesy to all people: what a contrast to the way we see so many treat others today. Surely if the perfect and holy Lamb of God is gentle toward us, how much more should we be gentle toward others? How much more should a believer’s attitude be gentle and courteous toward any unbeliever, for as they are now, we all were at one time – and maybe worse. Gentleness: it’s a supernatural quality of God and a gift of His Holy Spirit to those who believe. May God help us to exhibit this quality in our lives, be it toward our spouses, our children, our neighbors, or those who see life differently than we do based on their politics, religious background, or the experiences of life they have endured. Surely if God is gentle toward us, anyone who calls themselves His followers should, of all people,  be gentle toward others whose lives we have an opportunity to touch.