I looked up gentleness in the dictionary and discovered this character trait involves, generosity, kindness, tameness, patience and courteousness. Gentleness was a character trait that Christ possessed. He entered Jerusalem …”See your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey.” Matthew 21:5 Jesus described himself as gentle in Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
The New Testament is filled with references to gentleness of sprit and the apostles begged the new believers to treat one another with gentleness like Christ. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:1-2 “As a prisoner, for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Again in 1 Timothy 6:11 he writes “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurances and gentleness.” Peter adds an additional dimension to this gentleness we are to exhibit as believers in 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” I saw this portrayed in the new movie God Is Not Dead 2. It is about a teacher who gives an answer to the hope that is within her. She was asked, “Why does nothing seem to get you down?” She answered with one word, “Jesus.” She got into a lot of legal trouble because of that answer, but she was doing as Peter tells us. She had a ready answer to the HOPE that was within her. What about you? What would your answer would you give to the Hope that is within you?
Be ready today with an answer and a gentle and quiet spirit,
Linda
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