Your Daily Devotional for September 24, 2007

 

September 24,  2007

 

 

Gentleness

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."

 

Galatians 5:22-26

 

 

A few years ago during the sixth game of the National League baseball championships between the Marlins and the Cubs, a man interfered with outfielder Moises Alou in his attempt to catch a fly ball.  The Cubs ended up losing the game because of that play. Afterward, Steve Bartman, the man who interfered, received threats and was required to have personal security because of the anger of many Cubs fans.

 

As we see in our verses today, God desires that we would live with the spirit of gentleness in our lives. Gentleness is hard to find in our society today. With so much bitterness, hatred, and violence, it can often be hard to show gentleness to those around us. But gentleness is the quality that will either make or break a Christian's testimony.

 

God desires that we would show gentleness through our lives. Webster's dictionary defines gentleness as "noble, chivalrous: as a gentle knight; generous, kind." As Christians, we should show kindness and gentleness to everyone around us. We must be the example of gentleness in our society.

 

As we are to be the example to those around us, we can look to Christ as our example of gentleness. First, we see gentleness in His character. First Peter 2:21-24 says, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." Christ did not have to die on the Cross, yet because of His character of kindness and His love for us, He willingly laid down His life for us. While we may not lay down our lives for others, we should show gentleness and kindness through our character. We must be known as people who are kind to others.

 

Also, we see gentleness in our Lord's compassion. John 13:4-5 says, "He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded." Christ had compassion enough that when He saw a need, He did not wait for someone else to take care of it and He did not demand that His disciples wash His feet; He simply got up and took care of it Himself. An evidence of gentleness in our lives will be when we have compassion enough to serve others.

 

There may not be much gentleness and kindness in our society today, but as Christians we are to look to Christ as our example and show gentleness through our lives. Do those around you see gentleness and kindness through your character and compassion? Ask God to help you show gentleness through your life. Look for ways to be kind to those around you today.

 

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Song of Solomon 4-5 • Galatians 3

 

 

 

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