Skip to main content

Gentle

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14 NIV

This week one of my friends was telling me that they read all of the blog posts I write. That alone makes me feel uncomfortable. I can't believe people, especially friends, would take the time to read what I write. After all, I'm just a normal guy.

My friend went on to say that I have a gentle way of sharing the messages. That description hit me differently. At first I thought, "well that's cool." I imagine Jesus in most cases being a cool cucumber. I think He was able to present the truth with a heavy dose of grace. Then I thought, “Isn’t that how we should always share the Gospel? Shouldn’t we strive to be gentle like the Lamb?”

I picture Jesus as a gentle, calm man who was slow to anger. His message was revolutionary and challenging at times, but it was always delivered in a way that oozed love. He provided restoration to those who experienced His miracles. The restoration He provided went far beyond the physical and permetated the spiritual. To those that heard His message, I am hopeful they heard peace, love, redemption, and grace. This King would rule in a way no other had before or will after.

Christianity is different. As followers, love is the number one characteristic others should see. It is the way they should know who our leader is. 

Shouldn't our message, as followers of Jesus, always be gentle? Shouldn't what we say be filled with grace and truth? Shouldn't the truth feel uncomfortable at times but be accompanied with a strange dose of grace that allows us to be gentle in our message? 

Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Anchor House Week 31 - NAMMA

The first week of August, I had the chance to attend the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) Conference. NAMMA is an ecumenical, Christian association of individuals and affiliated organizations involved in maritime ministry throughout North America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. I had the privilege of attending the conference with our summer intern, Gabe. For both of us it was the first time we had the chance to be a part of the conference. I enjoyed getting to meet so many individuals who serve the Lord across the globe. Each of us serves at different ports and in unique ways. The exchange of ideas was both enjoyable and informative, especially for me as the new guy. Each of the people I met had a heart for the seafarer and the challenges they face. Their hearts poured out to show the love of Jesus to the men and women aboard the vessels that visit their respective ports.   One of the highlights of the trip was meeting one
Post a Comment
Read more

Anchor House Week12: Constant

I've gotten almost a week behind on my reflections from Anchor House. It seems there just isn't enough time in the day.  The way these blogs come together is different from week to week.  Some weeks God puts a message clearly on my heart. Others it feels like a struggle to put "pen to paper".   This week was one of those that I knew exactly what I'd write about. However, each day passed and I missed the opportunity. You see, I write best in the mornings. Not sure if it's the limited distractions, a product of my habit of practicing my spiritual disciplines in the morning, or something else entirely. Most of my afternoon writing is intelligible and requires numerous edits.  In the AM, however, they seem to make more sense.   What's funny is that as I am writing, I am feeling God moving.  He's moving from what I thought I was to write about to what He wants me to share. These shifts and changes are a part of the shipping industry.  Things hap
Post a Comment
Read more

King of the Jews

Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped Him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.” The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus g
Post a Comment
Read more