Let your gentleness be evident to ALL today!

I read this verse this morning in my quiet time and I was greatly convicted by it because I was reminded of what this verse truly means to my life. Many years ago I did a word study on the word "gentleness" that is used in this verse. It really changed the way that I viewed what true gentleness is. The word used here for "gentleness" is difficult to translate with its full connotation. Involved in this word is the willingness to yield one's personal rights and to show consideration to others. Also this word carries the meaning of generous treatment of others who don't necessarily deserve it. It is a quality that keeps us from insisting on our full rights or from making a rigid and stubborn stand for what is justly due us. I don't know about you but this is a difficult thing to do. We all want to demand what is due us or to give to others which is due them.

In Philippians 4:5, Paul tells us that this kind of gentleness is to be shown or evident to ALL(not a select few) and at ALL times (not just when we feel like it). ALL includes your next door neighbour who always lets their dog use your yard as their bathroom. ALL includes your boss at work who never acknowledges the hard work you are doing. ALL includes the teenager at A&W who brings the wrong order late. Most importantly, ALL includes those whom we love the most - our spouses and our children. This is a very difficult thing to do. It goes against what our natural desires tell us to do. Thankfully, God has given us the ultimate example of what it means to show gentleness to ALL people at ALL times in the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus' whole life was characterized by gentleness from the time He began His ministry to the day He died on the cross. He showed gentleness to the disciples when they messed up. He showed gentleness to the prostitute who was going to be stoned. He showed gentleness to the guards who were beating Him and whipping Him by not fighting back. And most of all He showed gentleness to a world that had turned their backs on Him and were living their lives in rebellion to Him by dying on the cross for them. Jesus chose to give up His rights as God and humble Himself to die on the cross for us.

Imagine the difference we could make in our families, in our neighbourhoods, in our churches and in our cities if we demonstrated this type of gentleness!

Let your gentleness be evident to all today!