Gentleness stems from God

We’ve been considering the qualities that Paul refers to as the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The next in our list is the quality called gentleness. I want to offer three key observations on gentleness for you to think about today.

First, we must understand that gentleness is not weakness. Gentleness is not some kind of flimsy, wimpy existence where everyone runs over you and you just stand there seemingly oblivious to the realities of life. We have a tendency to take things to the extreme. Either we are very dominant, aggressive and full of rage, or we are wimpy, indifferent and timid. Gentleness is more balanced and it is certainly not about weakness.

Gentleness could be summed up as a God-controlled life. Again, Jesus is the perfect example. In a Bible paraphrase called The Message, Jesus made the following appeal: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me —watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30) What a great passage on God’s gentle, loving ways of dealing with his children. Rest, unforced rhythms of grace, living freely and lightly all sounds good, doesn’t it? Jesus wants to partner with us and teach us gentleness. Learn from him how to be gentle and how to have a gentle spirit.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time, he came riding on a donkey. This is often referred to as the triumphal entry. But there was no pomp and circumstance. No white stallions. It was the picture of gentleness. When Jesus walked the face of this earth, he wasn’t trying to impress anybody. It is as if his actions were saying, “God, my Father, has everything in control.” Jesus has a gentle spirit and his life conveyed the simple message that God is in control.

Finally, I believe gentleness is power under God’s control. Gentle people put their personality under God’s control. Their outlook is under God’s control. Their words are under God’s control. Their perspective is under God’s control. Their expectations are under God’s control. Their responses, to all of life’s circumstances, are under God’s control.
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You can e-mail Pastor Steve Greene at sgreene@seymournaz.org.