How
does gentleness apply to my relationship with others? "Let nothing be
done through strife or vainglory but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than themselves." Esteem is the foundation of
gentleness. Gentleness exhibited in the life of the Christian;
therefore, is treating others with a tender heart--placing their needs
above yours, as the loving mother tenderly cares for the
needs of her children--sacrificing ever her needs to meet their wants.
This is the gentleness of spirit we are to have toward others.
Christ, our example, took upon Himself the form of a servant. He was
always looking on the multitude and being moved with compassion. Jesus,
the very Son of God, gave Himself in gentleness to save His
enemies--those hostile toward God. Me.
Moses, after the people had
sinned with the making and worship of the golden calf--and he had
not--made a compassionate plea to God (Who had, by the way, just told
him the He would just as soon take Moses and make a great nation of him
and forget these Israelites) "Yet, now, if Thou will forgive their sins,
and if not, blot me, I pray Thee out of the book which Thou hast
written." Moses esteemed those idolatrous, selfish, worldly,
undeserving, murmuring people better than himself. He offered himself
that they might be spared. That's gentleness in action.
Do I have
gentleness? It will be evident by the way I perceive and react to the
needs and wants of others--even the most "undeserving" others that I
know.
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