Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
What does gentleness imply in our lives as Christians? Gentleness is used interchangeably with the word “meekness.” As I study the life of Jesus through scriptures, I am continually learning what gentleness is not. I recall as a new Christian/disciple of Jesus Christ in my passion and joy knowing the Lord, I missed the entire concept of gentleness according to Jesus. I was quick to condemn, judge, reject, cancel/dismiss people who did not have the same passion for the gospel as I did. Until one day God spoke to me through his Holy words and different spiritual speakers. Most of all, through Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul’s example in the Bible. In Romans 5:8, Paul reminded me that Christ died for us while we were lost in darkness.
In 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Paul again reminded me to always remember who I was before Christ rescued me. "Brothers and sisters, think of who you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards, influential, or of noble birth but God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things---and the things that are not---to nullify the things that are so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus who has become for us wisdom from God---that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” Paul’s description is exactly how I was treated, felt and called growing up. Although growing up I was made to believe I was insignificant, useless and would never amount to anything, God saw something else in me that he spoke into existence before I was formed in my mother's womb, and he rescued me (Psalm 139). So, who am I that I would not show the same compassion and mercy to those who have not said yes to God's authority? Or those who have said yes to Jesus as their Savior but do not understand His Lordship over their lives? To lack gentleness, in my opinion, is to lack humility and truth. Jesus said in Mathew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy." Clothing ourselves with gentleness takes remembering who we were when God rescued us. Having a sober attitude is knowing that the same measure we use against another human being will be used to judge us on the last day (Matthew 6:14). Gentleness is not being passive about sharing, preaching, teaching and standing up for the commands of God but it is the ability to speak the truth of God with compassion, kindness and humility knowing that we all have the same judge. “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day” (John 12:48). I found it to be interesting that Paul, in his transformative life as a minister of the Gospel, often talked about God’s mercy in his life as he rebuked, corrected, disciplined and encouraged others to always show mercy instead of judgement. His letters to the churches were often about addressing sin and the need for repentance. He has always started with humility, mercy and reminding them of Jesus’ mercy in their lives as he transitioned to warnings about God’s expectation for Christian living. Read the books in the Bible that Paul authored to get a glimpse of what it means to be gentle while sharing the Gospel of truth with others. Gentleness can be a difficult virtue to imitate as we navigate life; however, if our goal is to be like Jesus, it is necessary to clothe our lives with it. Start with one area in your life where you are lacking gentleness and start developing and growing this virtue.
