Laura Knowles
Read:
-Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, against such there is no law.”
-Colossians 3:12-13 “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.”
-Philippians 4:5 “Let your gentleness be made know to all men. The Lord is at hand.”
Reflect:
1. What do you think gentleness means?
2. When was a time this week when someone wronged you?
3. Why is it so hard for us to forgive?
Remember:
“As the elect of God” (Colossians 3:12) we are called to become Christ-like in all we do and all we are. To be filled with the gentleness of God’s very own Holy Spirit is not possible on our own strength. Being gentle, many times, goes against every bit of natural instinct in us. Our flesh tells us when we are treated badly or wronged to take retribution but God says to forgive and forget. Frustrations in life tend to put us in a very bad mood and many times make us mean and snappy. Gentleness (meekness) is what comes from humility of the soul. When we understand the faithfulness of God, even to the point of death on our behalves, we can walk in humility. We know that we are unworthy of the gift given to us.
Putting things into perspective and surrendering to the Holy Spirit in us makes it possible for us to be gentle as Christ was gentle. Give up the constant struggle with the flesh, which wants to kill or be killed, and live free to the realization that Christ has already won the battle on our behalves. The judgment seat is not ours to sit in. It’s already taken by the One who has paid our debt in full. He has given us gentle hands now, not to hurt but to heal with His truth and love in all we do.
