What does it mean to be gentle? We know it is the opposite of aggressive. Gentleness could be the same as kindness. Some translations has translated the Greek word to "Meekness." I have known men who have told me that you are meek, you were considered a sissy.
Is that what gentleness or meekness means? R.C. Sproul wrote:
Gentleness—meekness—is not to be confused with weakness. Moses was a meek man. That is, he had the quality of humility. He knew who he was. He was bold without being arrogant. It is the meek who are promised the world. Christ promises they will inherit the earth. Meekness is the flip side of gentleness. They go together, wed by a spirit of humility.
God gives grace to the humble. It is a grace that breeds even more grace.
That is one way we can look at gentleness. Another way we can look at it is giving aid to someone. Jerry Bridges wrote, "Gentleness is stooping down to help someone. God continually stoops down to help us, and He wants us to do the same: to be sensitive to the rights and feelings of others." Think of Jesus when he said:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
Jesus is gentle with us that He knows our deeds fall short. We fall short all the time and think He will abandon us, but that is not the case. He will continue to receive us. As a study note in the Gospel Transformation Bible says, "He is ready to help all those who are themselves humble enough to admit their need of his mercy and grace. Indeed, he delights to do so."
The work of the Spirit produces gentleness that we are able to help those in need and to be humble before God knowing He has redeemed us.
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