Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near (Philippians 4:5).
Unfortunately, a gentle person is often seen as weak in our society. They are a pushover who doesn’t fight for their rights or get what they want because they are timid. In our current polarized society, gentleness does not cut it. We are to stand up for what we think is right – online and face to face - without holding back.
Contrary to society’s perspective, gentleness is not weakness. There is a holy boldness that is gentle. It is the only option for a Christian. Gentleness is considering the other person more important than yourself, even if they are the one in the wrong. Pursuing gentleness is a goal because the Lord is near and present in your immediate situation. This pursuit does not negate boldness which is encouraged in Scripture.
In the early church, Peter's boldness is exemplary. Acts 4:13 states, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Boldness is not being afraid to proclaim Christ. It is present in Peter and John not because of some ideological position or preference but because they had been with Jesus. It is easy to be either bold or gentle in the flesh but difficult to exhibit both unless God's Spirit dwells in you.
The Apostle Paul exhibited both qualities. In 1 Thessalonians 2:2, he states, “though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.” Paul’s boldness led him to proclaim Christ amid suffering. Later in the same section, Paul tells the church in Thessalonica that, "we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children (1 Thessalonians 2:7).
Being gentle is not being a coward or weak. In Revelation 21:8, cowards do not fare well, “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
People written about in Revelation who under the threat of persecution continues to testify that Jesus is Lord are called conquerors or overcomers. The cowards are not ones who are naturally timid or fail to speak out on issues but lack a genuine commitment to Christ. A true commitment to Christ is seen in someone who can be gentle and bold. Let’s reveal to the world that we have spent time with Jesus.
