Fruit of the Spirit Series

Over the past several weeks, our journey through the fruit of the Spirit has brought us to the virtue of gentleness. Paul started his message with love, and now he shows us the significance of a gentle heart.  

Here’s something we can agree on, the practice of gentleness is a comforting and pleasant encounter. God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are our best examples of warm-hearted souls. When God brought me out of the darkness and into His light of salvation, He didn’t force it upon me. No, God made this sanctification a gentle and holy transition. He showed me grace and compassion!

God’s Gentle Touch

In my journey with God, His loving, gentle touch is one of the fascinating awareness of His holiness. Yes, this experience is astonishing. Nothing I’ve ever experienced comes close to His gentle way of teaching me His precepts. When God placed me in Christ and awakened the Holy Spirit in my heart, His gentleness emerged.

It’s Christ that God uses to bring forth His gentle Spirit.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:29-30

In these two scriptures, Christ unmasked His gentle and compassionate nature. He made it known when we abide in Him; He will teach us God’s way.

What is Jesus’s yoke?

It’s His Deity, which isn’t hard because God made Him the world’s Savior. My part is to place my faith in Him without reservations or doubts. In my one-on-one relationship with Jesus, I discover His undeniable power and courage. I’m no longer alone and don’t have to carry the weight of salvation by myself.

The moment we become sincere with Jesus, God unlocks the door to heaven, then the Holy Spirit starts to teach me Christ’s way. At this point, the Lord embraces me with comfort, and my soul engulfs His serenity.

Why is Christ’s burden not onerous?

The answer to the question is simple. Jesus died, arose from the dead, and ascended back to heaven, setting me free from the bondage of sin. He lifted the darkness of disbelief and replaced it with God’s eternal light. At the cross, Christ took the sins of the world and cast them away, lessening my dependence on the works of the flesh. Isn’t God incredible?

Spreading the Gospel with Gentleness

One of the most rewarding realities of salvation is sharing its Good News with believers and nonbelievers. I think we can agree that God’s gift of redemption affected our lives in a profound and powerful way. Our lives changed from one centered on selfish ambition to one embedded in Christ. With that said, Disciple Peter tells us to spread the Gospel with gentleness.

Peter shared:

But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

1 Peter 3:15-16

Our brother Peter shows us that expressing Jesus’s Gospel with gentleness radiates the truth about Christ and leaves unbelievers with spiritual uneasiness. When we follow this pleasant presentation of God’s word, the effectiveness of our faith emerges.

In verse fifteen, Peter highlights our responsibility to honor Christ with exaltation. By placing Jesus above everything, we stay prepared to answer other people’s curiosity with holy confidence. Peter’s wisdom heightens a gentle and respectful approach is the best way. And from following this advice, my conscience remains free from internal restlessness.

When put into action, these two scriptures prevent me from a self-righteous representation of Christ’s ministry. Nothing good comes from me condemning others through egotistical behavior. In reality, authoritatively sharing Jesus’s Gospel turns people away from me. It causes them to go further into disbelief.

As can be seen, the fruit of gentleness brings forth a positive outlook on salvation. The Holy Spirit uses gentleness to shed light on God’s incredible existence. And from our gentle hearts sharing Jesus’s Gospel, others see a solid attraction to God’s kingdom.

What’s your take on gentleness?