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

Bold Like Stephen

I've always admired people who aren't afraid to be bold in their convictions.  It is the kind of boldness that allows them to stand out in the crowd. There is just something different about how these people view and engage the world around them.  The movie “Hacksaw Ridge” portrays a man that exemplifies what I mean by bold.  He was drafted to serve in World War II but refused to bear arms because of religious reasons. Yet, he still managed to receive the Congressional Medal of honor. Without a weapon in his hand, he saved 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite his objection to violence, he still served his country. Despite his objection to war he found a way to love his neighbor. He was bold.  When I think of bold in the Bible, I think of Stephen. Acts 6:8 says, "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Stephen faced opposition to his teachings. Those that opposed his teachings couldn't ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Do the Work

Sometimes I sit down to write and it just seems like I am trying to write with a pen without ink. There is simply nothing productive coming from the activity. Other times, God just pours it out on me. The ideas flow and the message comes together with ease. More often than not it's the former rather than the latter. It seems God likes to make us work for it. The ones I have to work a bit harder on become the ones I like the most. I think we appreciate the things we have to work for more than the things that come easy. Our LifeGroup recently read about the Miraculous Catch of Fish. You know the story where Peter and his buddies have been out fishing all night and came back to shore completely empty handed. That next morning, Jesus asks them to take him out in the boat. Once out on the water, He has them put the nets back down and they bring in loads and loads of fish. So many fish that two boats almost sank.  I guess Jesus could have just made the fish jump into th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Welcome Children

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. And He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." - Matthew 18:1‭-‬5 NIV This past Sunday was simply life-giving at Westside Christian Church. The energy and excitement were palatable. My daughter couldn't wait to get to church. She was excited to worship with her friends and have fun together afterwards.   With the VBS takeover, the church was packed! Sure there were a few seats open, but there was a line of people standing in the back. It is safe to say it was "standing room only". Fitting with the story of Zacchaeus that Pastor Russ shared.   Jes...
Post a Comment
Read more