Today we will be finishing up our look at gentleness through the eyes
of the apostle Paul by way of 1 Thess. 2:1-12. Let's refresh our memories
by turning there and reading through those verses again…
1 Thess. 2:3-6 (KJV)
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
[4] But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel,
even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
[5] For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor
a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: [6] Nor of men sought we glory,
neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome,
as the apostles of Christ.
According to verses 3-6 listed above, what are some of the wrong methods
that Paul says he did not apply when sharing Christ with others? He says
his exhortation - his sharing of the Word of God, was not with deceit,
nor of uncleanness, nor in guile, neither were flattering words used.
They wore no cloke of covetousness, and they were not glory-seekers. In
other words, Paul possessed pure motives when sharing the Word of God!
Motives determine method... He didn't trap or push people into being saved
or getting right with God. Ladies, gentleness seeks out the good of the
other party, not the good of the one holding the truth in his hand! It
is possible to preach the right message with the wrong motives, but Paul
stayed far away from these methods listed in this portion of scripture.
He was honest in all his dealings and was careful not to give anyone a
reason to blame him for misconduct or misuse of the gospel. He avoided
ambition and vainglory...
Today, there are many in the ministry who utilize ungodly methods to bring
both money and attention to their ministries. God's gentleness is not
known in them, for they have self in mind only. What a shame and disgrace
to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ this is! Beware Christian ladies
that gentleness is not missing from your own life because of self-centeredness...
For example, a selfish mother treats her children abrasively. She is short-tempered
and sarcastic with them. A selfish wife deals callously with her husband;
she views him as a moron and is unloving and unsubmissive in nature...
God's gentleness is not known in such a woman's life when her own desires
come first! Let's look at verses 7-9 and see how Paul DID behave himself...
But we were GENTLE among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted
unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because
ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail:
for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any
of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
What a picture of selflessness this portion of scripture is! Gentleness
is the result of the Spirit of God in control of our hearts. Paul uses
the word picture here of a nursing mother to get across to us the particular
kind of gentleness to which he is referring. It is a gentleness born of
sincere love and concern that takes both the time and energy to care for
children. Such gentleness willingly transports nourishment and imparts
life to young ones, is even willing to die for them! It is an affectionate,
warm, loving quality that nurtures and protects others while putting self
last. It is a gentleness that exhibits patience with precious growing
children, those infant babes in Christ. Is this descriptive of the gentleness
in your life, dear lady?
Just as our own children are very dear to us, the brethren were very dear
to Paul, and his deep affection for them came from God's own gentleness
dwelling and reigning within his heart. It extended outward to people
in the way that he approached them. Paul was quite capable of being bold,
was he not? Many times we have seen his boldness in the scriptures. But
Paul's boldness was tempered by the gentleness of the Spirit of God, giving
him wisdom when it came time to sharing the Word of God. Are you exhibiting
such temperance?
2 Cor. 10:1 (KJV)
Now I Paul, myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,
who am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
Not only did the apostle Paul share the Word of God, he shared his life
with these people! What a contrast, when prior to his salvation, Paul
was guilty of killing many Christians, completely void of any ounce of
gentleness whatsoever! What changes the fruit of the Spirit brings about
in our lives when we willingly and obediently yield to God! Are those
kinds of changes evident in your manner today? Is there gentleness dwelling
within you where hardness of heart once used to exist? People should be
able to see the growing contrast in our lives and give the glory and honor
to God. As we look at verses 10-12 of 1 Thess. 2, we see next how Paul
uses the word picture of a father here to give us another side to gentleness...
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and umblameably
we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted
and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom
and glory.
A spiritual father has nothing but concern for his children and the way
their lives will end up. But first, a father considers his own walk with
the Lord and makes sure that God is pleased with him. Paul was always
aware, as should we be, of God being a witness of all that he said and
did. Ladies, we should never forget that God sees (or doesn't see!) the
fruits of the Spirit manifested in our lives, in our treatment of others.
A spiritual father instills this same sober-minded thinking in his children.
A father exhorts, comforts and charges his children to do right. A father
supports his family with his work, with an attitude of selfless service
and a heart full of gentleness - velvet steel! He instills pure motives
into their tender hearts, while setting before them proper goals to achieve.
The goal a father sets before his children is none other than his own,
and is mentioned in verse 12 by Paul - "that ye would walk worthy of God".
Are you walking worthy of your God today, dear lady?? God’s word is holy,
wise, just, and faithful - is there any reason our words shouldn't be
such if we are His children?? I hope we are not portraying an unhealthy
picture of our Heavenly Father to others by our lack of gentleness in
either our approach or our reaction to people’s errors during their spiritual
maturation. Take great care that you are helping, not hindering the good
of souls! We must be balanced as Christians, amen? Balanced with gentleness...
But the fruit... Is there any in your life?
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003
