Gentleness/Meekness

Galatians 5:22,23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

Meekness describes a humble attitude filled with patience. Instead of getting angry and planning retaliation when we are wronged by another, we should seek to be submissive and gentle, leaving no room for thoughts of sinful revenge. Meekness goes far beyond how to respond when we are wronged, however; it also describes an attitude of submission to God's Will, searching for it diligently; a desire to remain teachable, realizing that we have much to learn and far to grow in this Christian life; and a sense of consideration for others.

Take the example of Christ: When He was taken prisoner in the Garden of Gethsemane, He did not fight against any man but instead healed one of His captors (Luke 22:50,51). When He was brought before Pilate and Herod, He answered their questions faithfully and was found innocent in their sight (Luke 23:1-16). But yet in all His innocence, He was put to death because the people hated His message of redemption from sin, but by the shedding of His blood, salvation was made available for all men.

Likewise, we have been placed on this earth so that we may proclaim the message that Christ brought when He came - a message of grace and salvation from sin, a message of hope and redemption, a message of rescue from an eternity without God. When you are put down for your faith, see it as a blessing to be able to identify with your Saviour. When you are confronted with your own sin, take hold of it, confess it, and seek to become more like your Lord. We are fallen men given the greatest gift the world has ever known - salvation made possible through the blood of the pure, innocent Son of God. His submission is our motivation to remain meek and gentle when the world turns against us, for through our trials, we are sharing in the death of Christ, His resurrection unto new life, and His eternal glory.

Galatians 6:14

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."