May 17th | Gentle
A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS
GENTLE
Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
The second Christian virtue St. Paul emphasizes in Ephesians 4:2 is gentleness. The Greek word Paul uses here can be translated with the English words, gentle, considerate, or meek.” Jesus exemplified this virtue as in His entire earthly ministry He showed great consideration for all the people, especially for those who the world shows little concern. Remember when His disciples were trying to prevent mothers from bringing their children to Jesus. He rebuked their behavior and pleaded, “Suffer the little children to come to me. . . “ (Mark 10:13) To the disciples the little children were a bother. To Jesus it was important for Him to have an opportunity to bless them.
Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Spirit. (See Galatians 5:22-23) It is from Jesus that you learn gentleness. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Gentleness (today’s thought) and humbleness (yesterday’s devotion) go hand in hand.
With the virtues of gentleness and humility, gifts from God that they are, you are able to minister to the sick, poor, lame and blind. Like Jesus, out of your gentleness and humility flow your compassion for those around you. Your gentleness and humility flow out of the love you have received from God through His Son. Jesus said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Daily, Jesus sends you out as He did His disciples: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent (gentle) as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)
Prayer: Fill me, O Lord, with the virtue of gentleness that I may love those around me as you have loved me. In Your holy name. Amen.
May we Thy precepts, Lord fulfill And do on earth our Father’s will
As angels do above; Still walk in Christ, the living way,
With all Thy children to obey The law of Christian love.
So may we join Thy name to bless,
Thy grace adore, Thy pow’r confess, From sin and strife to flee.
One is our calling, one our name, The end of all our hopes the same,
A crown of life with Thee.
Spirit of life, of love and peace, Unite our hearts, our joy increase,
They gracious help supply. To each of us the blessing give
In Christian fellowship to live, In joyful hope to die. (LSB 698)