Gentleness
(Ephesians 4:2)
Abraham realized that he could no longer stay with his nephew Lot, and decided to part ways with him. At that time, Abraham did not say, “I am the one who should fulfill God’s will, so I will choose the good land first.” Instead, he believed that God, who is righteous, was with him; therefore, he willingly yielded his right.
1. Gentleness and Rights
A gentle person approaches others with warmth and gentleness. To do this, they often have to surrender their own rights. “I want to be gentle but I will defend my rights,” is contradictory. A gentle person inherently seeks to avoid conflicts with others. Therefore, a gentle person often suffers losses in various situations. This is not due to incompetence but to a conscious choice made with their willingness and self-control.
2. Gentleness and Meekness
The reason a gentle person can consistently exhibit a warm and gentle attitude is their possession of meek inner nature. Without meekness, it’s impossible to maintain a gentle appearance over the long term. Beyond merely performing acts of gentleness, we must strive to integrate gentleness into our personality. This change cannot happen overnight. However, there is a significant difference between resisting change by claiming, “I am naturally rough,” and actively striving to become a gentle person.
3. Gentleness and the Church
In the world, a gentle nature is often disregarded. Yet, for those who belong to heaven, being gentle is essential. Gentleness serves as a safeguard against the corruption of souls freed from sin. For the church to be fully preserved, the gentleness of its saints is necessary. Gentleness is also vital for preaching the Gospel. In some respects, preaching the Gospel means conveying God’s gentleness. In order to fulfill God’s will, let the entire church be united. Let us become gentle and meek Christians.
March 3, 2024
Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim
