Gentleness

Scripture Reading: Psalm 95; Isaiah 57-59; Philippians 4

Reading through Philippians these past few days has reminded me why I and so many others love this small book. It is line after line of encouraging promises and exhortations. One of those, one that is maybe overlooked, is 4:5 -

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

That word “gentleness” can be translated “graciousness” or “forbearance,” and some earlier English translations use the word “moderation.” I think whatever one of those words is used, the verse isn’t as easily understood as some of the others in this chapter.

The idea Paul is getting across here is a Christian should be the kind of person who is not unreasonable in their demands and expectations of other people. That is a needed exhortation in today’s cultural climate. Just jump on social media today and read the way complete strangers comment on someone’s public posts. Almost any post can become fodder for other people’s condemnation and criticism.

This isn’t a call for moral or spiritual compromise. It is simply a reminder to act with grace towards others.

That is the point of the second sentence in this verse: “The Lord is at hand.” What that means is we would be more reasonable with others if we would just remember that we are going to be judged by the Lord.

Don’t expect from others the kind of perfection you are not able to produce yourself. Show grace. Give the benefit of the doubt in their favor when there is doubt. Be as kind to them as you would want them to be toward you.

Then, when Paul says to let it be known to all men, he isn’t talking about being a spiritual show off or touting your gracious gentleness as if it were something to brag about. He is saying that it ought to be evident to everyone that we are those kind of people because that is the way we treat everyone.

Live in such a way that people aren’t reflexively flinching when we approach because they expect us to exude meanness and wrath. Instead, let us be the kind of people who are gracious toward others – even and maybe especially those with whom we have the biggest disagreements.