The Lord’s gentleness is your gentleness!
“Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:5)
People have lost the ability to be gentle when dealing with others with different opinions. Look no farther than political opponents. It has become the norm in attacking political opponents. Has this become the way most deal with each other? Is this how you deal with others? Can you have a different opinion and still be gentle?
You might think so, but then you fall in line with the crowds of angry people when your candidate does not win. Can you speak about your rival with gentleness? Do you try to tear them down at every opportunity? Can you treat your enemy with gentleness? Most would think this is absurd and shows weakness to the enemy.
Notice how God tells you to let your gentleness be known and seen by everyone including family, friends, and even your enemies. How impossible to be gentle toward those who are out to hurt and harm you!
How in the world can God expect you to be gentle to everyone? Think about the gentleness of your God. If there was someone who should have treated you with hatred, it would be the Holy LORD. Holiness and sin cannot co-exist. Holiness would destroy sin. But God showed you gentleness.
Instead of destroying you, he saved you though the destruction of his Son on the cross. He continues to show you his gentleness by forgiving you every day for sins you still commit. He will still welcome you into his heavenly home though his Son!
Our Father’s gentleness toward you is the reason why we want to show gentleness to everyone. Jesus is coming soon. We want to make every opportunity to share God’s gentleness so that they can be in heaven with us. When you show gentleness, it shows the heart of God to those in your life. They will see the gentleness a Savior who came to rescue his enemies from sin, death, and Hell.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for showing gentleness to those who did not deserve it. Help us let your gentleness be seen in us as we show gentleness to people in our lives. Let our gentleness be an opportunity to share your love with them so they are ready for Jesus to return soon. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!