Yesterday, we encountered a man on his bike, likely a delivery worker. When we approached him to share the gospel, we noticed aggression. Though willing to talk, it was with great hostility and lots of swearing. He asked relevant questions but wasn’t willing to listen to our answers. Due to my companion’s experience, we pacified him, delivered the message of love, and moved on. The joy is that we quickly met more people receptive to the gospel, and the feeling of rejection and abuse from our encounter with the guy didn’t last.
In John 8:1-11, Jesus displayed gentleness by showing compassion rather than condemnation when the woman caught in adultery was brought before Him. This example illustrates the transformative power of gentleness in conveying the message of salvation. Gentleness involves a tender and compassionate approach, showing kindness and humility. It’s about displaying strength under control and handling situations with a calm demeanour. A gentle person embodies qualities such as patience, meekness, and empathy, seeking to understand others, offering comfort, and avoiding harshness. This demeanour fosters trust and openness in relationships.
Gentleness plays a crucial role in effectively sharing the gospel, helping to bridge gaps and make the message more receptive. It reflects the love of Christ, creating an atmosphere where others are drawn to the teachings of the Bible.
Gentleness is the ability to show love and care for others in speech and action. A gentle person remains calm and rational in a state of anger and is never rash in their actions or speech. Instead, they are always aware of the needs of others and open to new experiences and ideas. In our text today, we see all these attributes in Jesus Christ as he gently (without rashness) bent down before passing judgment on the case of the woman caught in adultery.
In Mark 9:38-39, Jesus demonstrates a similar principle when addressing those outside his immediate circle, expressing openness and inclusivity rather than exclusivity. Disciples were concerned about someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name but not following them; Jesus responds with a broader perspective, emphasising the unity of those working towards a common good, even if they aren’t directly associated with his immediate disciples.
Gentleness in conflict resolution created an environment conducive to the continued spread of the gospel. In Acts 6:1-7, we see another example. The apostles handled the dispute with gentleness, addressing the issue calmly and ensuring that it didn’t escalate.
Connecting this with Galatians 6:1, where Paul encourages the Galatians to restore someone caught in sin with gentleness, we see a consistent theme. Gentleness is not only a means of resolving conflicts but also a crucial aspect of helping others find their way back to God, contributing to the broader goal of soul-winning.
Living a gentle life as Christians involves practicing understanding, patience, and kindness in our interactions. Romans 15:1 – Bearing with the Weak: “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak.” A gentle life involves patience and support for those who may struggle in their faith or understanding. Rather than being critical, Christians are called to offer encouragement and assistance.
The Bible encourages us: “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.“
Living a gentle life as Christians entails accepting others, bearing with the weak, and correcting with kindness. These principles foster a loving and harmonious Christian community and advance the kingdom of God.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk