- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 18,404
Gently Does It (2)
'Gently help make him right again' Galatians 6:1
Think of the word 'gentleness' and words like 'wishy-washy', 'namby pamby', 'indecisive', 'unassertive', or just plain 'wimpy' spring to mind, don't they? But gentleness has also been well described as 'quiet strength'. It's a refusal to use your power to harm anyone.
Like, for instance, crocodiles. Crocs, with their long tapered snout, powerful jaws and 66 teeth, have the ability to maul a man to death yet they are able to hold back that power, gently picking up their young in their mouths, carrying them to safety. Some species will even crack open unhatched eggs with their teeth to release the babies. In other words, crocodiles can use their strength to give life not take it.
The ultimate form of gentleness though is found in Jesus. Hanging in excruciating agony, dying on the cross, Jesus had in His power the ability to call down angels from heaven to get Him down; the power to annihilate all who had put Him there in an instant, but He chose not to use it. His decision to hold back that strength, to restrain all the power that was in his grasp, that's quiet strength, that's gentleness.
Jesus used His power not to harm but to save, 'For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned,' (John 3:17-18) Gentleness is a powerful force that helps, never destroys; a desire that no harm be done. Go about your day the gentle way.
written by Bob Gass
'Gently help make him right again' Galatians 6:1
Think of the word 'gentleness' and words like 'wishy-washy', 'namby pamby', 'indecisive', 'unassertive', or just plain 'wimpy' spring to mind, don't they? But gentleness has also been well described as 'quiet strength'. It's a refusal to use your power to harm anyone.
Like, for instance, crocodiles. Crocs, with their long tapered snout, powerful jaws and 66 teeth, have the ability to maul a man to death yet they are able to hold back that power, gently picking up their young in their mouths, carrying them to safety. Some species will even crack open unhatched eggs with their teeth to release the babies. In other words, crocodiles can use their strength to give life not take it.
The ultimate form of gentleness though is found in Jesus. Hanging in excruciating agony, dying on the cross, Jesus had in His power the ability to call down angels from heaven to get Him down; the power to annihilate all who had put Him there in an instant, but He chose not to use it. His decision to hold back that strength, to restrain all the power that was in his grasp, that's quiet strength, that's gentleness.
Jesus used His power not to harm but to save, 'For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned,' (John 3:17-18) Gentleness is a powerful force that helps, never destroys; a desire that no harm be done. Go about your day the gentle way.
written by Bob Gass
