The Daily Word

 

Continuing thinking about Paul’s closing exhortations in Philippians 4, the next challenge Paul issues as he writes, “Let your gentleness be evident to all”.

This is not an exhortation that we expected to find as it seems to have little spiritual content, but we are wrong in every respect if we think that. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the meek’. Meekness and gentleness are very related, and our Saviour never exhibited a harsh spirit despite much temptation and enmity from some of the Jews. We only read of Him exhibiting righteous anger once when he cleared the Temple of the traders. Even at His trial, He did not lash out at His accusers and perfectly fulfilled Isaiah 53. 

I feel I am particularly deficient in gentleness, and sadly, we have seen over the years many examples of harshness within the church and such an attitude, even if only momentarily exhibited, does not glorify God and has a deeply negative effect upon our Christian testimony. Even where correction has to be given, it should be done with the attitude of our Saviour and I remember a childhood song which began with ‘ Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, look upon this little child’. 

Let us cultivate an attitude of gentleness towards our brothers and sisters in Christ and also to those outside of Salvation that we may display the character of our Saviour to all and draw all closer to Him.

Article written by Brian Preston, Elder @SFGH Church