Imagine…Bold with Gentleness

Imagine if people were able to recognize you simply by your bold behaviour. Imagine if your behaviour became your reputation, not only out in public but even more so at home.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all.”  Philippians 4:4-5 NIV

Rejoice means – to be glad – always. The only way to always be glad in God is if you trust Him, knowing that He has every situation covered and nothing is outside of His reach.

Let’s focus on verse 5. Here is a description to help us understand the word “gentleness.”  Christian gentle people do not seek to retaliate. On the contrary, they are willing to give and take instead of always standing rigidly on their rights. They are gentle, kind, courteous, tolerant; they exhibit a sweet reasonableness and an ability to extend to others the kindly consideration they wish to receive themselves. The gentle person is not spineless but selfless.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”  Colossians 3:12 NLT

 It means you don’t anger easily; you are kind, friendly, and inviting. You don’t think too highly of yourself; you are willing to put other people first. Even when there is a conflict, you show gentleness and great patience.

Imagine if our behaviour were gentle and “evident to all.” Bold Gentleness! Imagine if this became our reputation. Let’s make this our reputation to a world that desperately needs gentleness.

(Additional Scriptures: Ephesians 4:32, Ephesians 4:2, 1 John 4:19, 2 Peter 1:5-8, 2 Peter 1:10, Galatians 5:22-23 Colossians 3:10)