20 Dec January 11th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT PHILIPPI

BE GENTLE WITH ALL

Philippians 4:5 “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”

The Greek word from which the translators translated the English word “gentleness” in today’s devotional verse should be thought of in this way:  “pertaining to being gracious and forbearing—‘gentle, gracious, forbearing’ . . . to speak well of everyone, not quarrelsome but showing patience.”  (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament)

St. Paul, in his instructions to Titus exhorted him, “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” (Titus 3:1-2)  This exhortation is parallel to today’s devotional verse encouraging you that your “gentleness be evident to all.”

Christians do not always come across as “gentle” in the eyes of non-believers.  To at least some of our critics, we are seen as argumentative, self-righteous, assertive, and domineering.  This was not true of Jesus.  His interaction with people could have been anything but gentle.  However, with only a few exceptions the “mark” of His ministry was love (agape,) even for His enemies.

As you think and meditate upon today’s devotional verse, the Holy Spirit guide you through these words from 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”  (In every instance in these verses the Greek word for love is agape.)

Prayer:  Lord, fill my heart with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Help me to bear up my neighbor, forgive those who sin against me, and love them even as you have loved me.  Fill my heart with the peace of Christ. In Jesus’ name.  Amen (This prayer is based on Colossians 3:12-15)

Lord of all nations, grant me grace

To love all people ev’ry race;

And in each person may I see

My kindred, loved, redeemed by Thee.

Break down the wall that would divide

Thy children, Lord, on ev’ry side.

My neighbor’s good let me pursue;

Let Christian love bind warm and true.

Forgive me, Lord, where I have erred

By loveless act and thoughtless word.

Make me to see the wrong I do

Will grieve my wounded Lord anew.

Give me Thy courage, Lord, to speak

Whenever strong oppress the weak.

Should I myself the victim be,

Help me forgive, remembr’ing Thee.

With Thine own love may I be filled

And by Thy Holy Spirit willed,

That all I touch, where’er I be,

May be divinely touched by Thee.

(LSB 844)