How gentle are you?

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. – Philippians 4:5

During my years as a pastor, I encountered many Christians who were anything but gentle. They had no patience for fellow believers with character flaws or who were involved in sinful practices. They also showed little kindness toward nonbelievers. They thought that gospel messages should always include dire warnings of the torments of hell.

Recently I heard about a company that had decided to open their stores on Sunday. Because they were located in an area with many churches, the corporation received scores of condemning letters from angry Christians. Some even said they were glad there was an eternal hell for those who had made this decision. Christian and non-Christian employees were offended and embarrassed. Lack of gentleness had harmed Christ’s cause.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were quick to judge and lacked gentleness. They criticized Jesus because He ate and drank with tax collectors and sinners (MATTHEW 11:19). They were shocked because He showed concern for these people instead of harshly condemning them. He didn’t approve of what they did, but He saw them as sinners created in God’s image whom He had come to save.

Let’s follow Christ’s example. – Herbert Vander Lugt

O to be like Him, tender and kind,

Gentle in spirit, lowly in mind;

More like to Jesus, day after day,

Filled with His Spirit, now and always. – Ellsworth

READ: TITUS 3:1-8

Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength. – Francis de Sales