Gentleness

“But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.”
‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭2:4-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Gentleness

The Lord Jesus Christ came to this earth, bringing us a model for how we should be doing ministry. The God of creation, became humbled in the form of a gentle servant, to teach, to lead and to guide, and ultimately, go to the cross for the sins of the world. He did not exalt himself, though He certainly could have, but lived a life in abject poverty, showing none of the splendor He left behind in heaven.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV

We have been charged to carry on the ministry of Jesus. Here in the US, we do not live in abject poverty, but in relative abundance. We live in a country that is dedicated to exalting the individual, to making the common man of flesh into an idol, elevated to worship. We give allegiance to people that which should only be given to God.

Even in the church, there are those who seek to teach the word of God, not for the exaltation of the Lord, but for own gain. They build megachurches, focused on filling the pews, and not on building followers of Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit.

In the rush to build, the heart for those suffering under the control of sin is numbed, and gentleness is all but forgotten. There are so many people in churches who are bleeding internally, because those charged with sheepherding are more concerned with their own notoriety.

I loved delving into I Thessalonians this morning, as Paul reminds the church that he and those with him did not come to take advantage, but came with gentleness, with the goal of glorifying the Lord. They came to speak the truth, and not to please the people. They ministered to God, for the benefit of the Thessalonians.

They came to those in the church with the heart of Christ, not making demands that they could as apostles, but as humble servants demonstrating the right posture the follower of Jesus should have in and out of the church. The people they mi min interred to where of greater importance than their own standing.

The world we live in is full of those who use the Gospel of Jesus to fleece the flock, thus bringing disrepute upon the name of Jesus. So often I have approached people a bout my faith and ran into the old trope: “all they want is my money.” The goal of the Christian should be to represent the heart of Jesus and His concern for those suffering under a multitude of sins.

Brothers and sisters, let us be humble as we go out into the world, and into the local church. Let us approach those outside and within, with gentleness. So many are sitting in the pews with unspoken hurts, feeling as if they do not matter. Let us pray that the Lord give us spiritual eyes, made all the more sensitive to see the lingering hurts in others. And let us be filled with a desire to show mercy to those who struggle amongst us.

Let us not be driven by piety, but remembering that we were all sinners once, and no matter how mature we think we are, we all need that touch of grace from the Lord. Let us have the mind of Christ.

The days are becoming overwhelmingly evil, and the darkness is falling over the whole world. Soon our only shelter will be with those who call upon the name of the Lord. Let it be a sure shelter, a place of comfort, where the outcast Christian can feel the gentle nurturing as if a nurtured child.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:12-17 NKJV

May we find comfort in each other, for I tell you the truth: we will not find it in the world.

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https://www.allaboutgod.com/the-roman-road.htm