Tag: gentleness
Gentleness and Respect
Scripture reading for November 11: 1 Peter 3
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3: 13-17
In our culture, gentleness and respect for others who mistreat us is almost unheard of. There is the desire for revenge and bad words and name-calling is often the response. This may escalate to acts of revenge, violence, or even murder. Early Christ followers were living in a similar pagan culture and Peter had advice for how believers should prepare themselves to respond.
First, Peter told those suffering, that if it was for righteousness, they would be blessed by God. His presence and peace would guard their hearts and minds. They were not to fear those causing the suffering, but understand that God was at work in their lives and would use those suffering unjustly to reflect the peace of Jesus and joy of salvation to them. If they asked the reason for their peace, they should be ready to share the Gospel with them in gentleness and reverence. It is God’s kindness that will lead them to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
A second reason is to have a good conscience towards God. When we patiently suffer and entrust ourselves to God, we bring shame and conviction on those who are reviling us and our good behavior. We also have God’s blessing of His peace and presence which God uses to spark repentance in those slandering us. If we were to respond like the world, our conscience would bring us under conviction and those slandering us would not see anything different than the culture they live in.
In examining your own actions and attitudes towards those who slander you, do you reflect this world view presented by Peter? What kind of blessings from God can come to those suffering injustice patiently? Has anyone ever asked you to share your hope and joy?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Jesus Christ’s example of suffering injustice with prayer and patience. Help me to patiently endure unjust suffering and respond by living in Your peace and joy. Increase my ability to wait for the opportunity to share the reason for my hope with gentleness and respect. Amen.
Kind, gentle, and patient!
Scripture reading for October 3: 2 Timothy 2
“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:22-26
Paul wrote plainly to his ‘son’ in the faith, Timothy concerning the conduct of a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although Timothy was young, Paul instructed him to flee from typical youthful passions and to instead focus on pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace. The kingdom of heaven is not eating or drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17) Jesus taught His disciples that they should first seek the kingdom of heaven and God’s righteousness instead of seeking after food, clothes, or worldly riches and fame. (Matthew 6:33) God promises to take care of His children and provide for their needs as they humbly depend on Him.
In addition to this, ministers of the Gospel must not be quarrelsome or contentious. The humble and gentle heart of Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30) must be allowed to develop and be shown in kindness and gentleness to all, even to opponents who are mean or obnoxious. As Jesus patiently endured evil towards Himself, His disciples also must patiently endure and seek repentance and forgiveness for those who are opposing. God’s heart is that none perish but all come to the truth about Jesus and enter eternal life. It is God’s goodness reflected in those who minister the Gospel that draw even hardened opponents to Jesus for healing and deliverance from Satan’s snare.
Have you experienced or observed ministers of Jesus Christ who reflect the kindness and gentleness of Jesus to those opposing them? How would you evaluate your own application of these instructions on how to treat those that may oppose you or Christ’s message? Would others see Christ in your actions?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for clear and simple instructions and Christ’s example on how to live by love and faith in peace with others. Fill me with Christ’s Holy Spirit today and help me to reflect Your goodness and gentleness to those who even oppose you. Increase my patient endurance. Amen.
Called to bless!
Scripture reading for October 14th: 1st Peter 3
Key Scriptures: 1st Peter 3:8-12 “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Peter called the believers to unity and brotherly love. Their hearts were to remain tender and their minds humble toward the brothers and sisters. If anyone did evil towards them or spoke evil of them, they were to counter with a blessing of those misguided and bitter people. They were to seek peace and be peacemakers and do good towards them, not fear them. Peter then quoted Psalm 34:12-16 that encourages God’s people to watch their tongues and their actions. It also promised that God sees everything and hears every prayer. God also sets His face against those who are doing evil and He alone will repay. You may still suffer reviling or evil treatment, but for doing good and not evil you will be blessed by God! You should also be ready to share Christ with them when your love breaks through their hard hearts!
1st Peter 3:13-14 “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, help me today to stay humble in my mind and keep a tender heart towards those who would mistreat me or revile me. This requires Your supernatural strength for I am often weak. Prompt me to be ready and bold to share the hope I have in Christ Jesus with gentleness and reverence. Let Your love and blessing break through hard hearts.
1st Peter 3:17-18 “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is God’s will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. . .”
Honoring Christ as holy!
Scripture reading for November 11th: 1st Peter 3, Psalm 77-8, Proverbs 9
Key Scriptures: 1st Peter 3:13-16 “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
As followers of Christ Jesus, we are always to honor Christ as Lord by doing all to His glory. If we suffer for our faith and good deeds, it is Christ who will be honored if we treat our persecutors with gentleness and respect. We should always be ready to share the reason for our hope in Jesus Christ. If they reject our testimony and witness, the shame will rest on them, not us because we honored Jesus and acted respectfully.
Faith Confession: Lord Jesus, I desire to honor You as holy in my attitude, actions, and conduct. Help me to treat unbelievers with respect and gentleness, and always be ready to give a defense of my trust in Jesus Christ, that the persecutors and unbelievers may be saved.
Psalm 77:13-14 “Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your might among the peoples.”
Win them with kindness!
Scripture reading for October 3rd: Isaiah 22-24, 2nd Timothy 2
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 2:24-26 “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”
Paul reinforces the traits that God’s servants must exhibit to make it possible for the Lord to reach those who are lost. The lost inhabitants of earth are in a trap set by Satan and captured by him. Repentance is their only hope of escape. Kindness, gentleness, and sound teaching offers the best possibility for their repentance and entrance into the heavenly kingdom.
Isaiah 24:17-18 “Terror and the pit and the snare are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth! He who flees at the sound of the terror shall fall into the pit, and he who climbs out of the pit shall be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble.”
Prayer: Lord, as a member of Your kingdom, let me show kindness and gentleness to the lost inhabitants of earth that they may escape the snare of the devil and escape judgment by repentance. Amen!
Share your hope–respectfully!
Scripture reading for November 10th: 1st Peter 3
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 1st Peter 3:13-16 “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart 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.”
Believers are always being watched by the worldly people around them. We must seek to represent Christ Jesus in all we do, even if people of the world judge us harshly or even persecute us for our stands of faith or good works. We must also be ready to share our testimony and reason that we live such different lives marked by joy and good works. This sharing must be done with great respect and gentleness, seeking to win them over to the Blessed Hope we personally know!
Observations for over-comers: Our lives should be marked by joy and hope and faith in God’s Word. We must be prepared and ready to share our reasons for this joy! “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)