Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on the third step of spiritual ascension: gentleness. Gentleness is the quality of a kind spirit ; to be gentle is to show a new spirit. A gentleman is a debonair, is a good man, kind, compliant, easygoing, forgiving, and tolerant. That is why in becoming one, one actually shows a new spirit which did not exist previously. The Lord Jesus says in Matthew 5.5: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
This gentleness is asked from us because it is a Christian quality, as we read in Colossians 3:12: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” This is one of the nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5.22-23:” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.. “
Moreover, gentleness is a great power, in that it is a sweet and persuasive language: Proverbs 25.15 “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” It’s a gentle answer that removes anger: Pro 15.1 “ A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”; and finally it’s a spirit of gentleness that wins the world to Christ: 1 P 3.1-4 “ 1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
We can also speak of a gentle whispering of God: 1 Kings 19.12 “After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”.; it’s about sweetness and kindness of Christ: 2 Cor 10.1 “ By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!”
Then let’s consider what the Bible tells us about the promises made to the meek, who are considered unfortunate, apart from inheriting the earth:
Psa 22.27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,
Psa 37.11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
Psa 147.6 The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.
Psa 149.4 For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.
Isaiah 11.4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Esa 29.19 Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
It follows from what has just been mentioned that:
Sweetness must be sought: So 2.3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.
Non-resistance is the mark of gentleness: Luke 6.29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.
It is essential for the teacher: 2 Tm 2.25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
It is essential for the listener: James 1.21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (James 3.13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.)
It is precious in the eyes of God: 1P 3.4 but the inner adornment and hidden in the heart, the incorruptible purity of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is of great value before God.
The characteristics of our heritage are as follows:
– It is given by God and his Word: Acts 20.32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
– We receive it as a reward: Col 3,24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
– It is kept in heaven for us: 1 P 1.4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,
– It is imperishable: 1 Cor 15.50-53 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
1 P 1.4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,
-It is eternal: Heb 9.15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
– It is guaranteed by the Spirit: Eph. 1.13-14 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
-We can lose him by disobedience: Mat 25: 41-46 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Heb 4.6, 11 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
It is important to note that inheritance includes non-Jews:
Psa 2.8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
Jer 10.16 He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including Israel, the people of his inheritance— the LORD Almighty is his name.
And the nature of our inheritance includes five elements:
it is a kingdom of light: Col 1.12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
it is the kingdom of heaven: Mat 25.34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”
it is the kingdom of God: 1 Cor 6.9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men.
It is eternal life: Mat 19.29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
Titus 3.7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
It includes all things: Rev 21.7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
We can become heirs in many ways:
by becoming children of God: Ga 4.7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
when we believe in Jesus: Rom. 4.13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
when we receive the grace of God: Gal 3:18 “For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.”
We become it with Christ: Rom 8:17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
So, if we become gentle, it will be possible for us to inherit in addition to the earth, much more as we have seen, especially an imperishable, eternal inheritance, and it is kept for us in heaven. I pray that the Holy Spirit strengthen us all, so that we become children of God. So, let’s just avoid disobedience and stay fixed on the Word of God.
Finally, Jesus gives himself to them as an example because he is “gentle and humble of heart”; he loves their humility, he whose “yoke is sweet”, which does not extinguish the smoking candle and does not break the crumpled reed. His apostles, in this too, imitated the Master; for Peter, who at Gethsemane eagerly drew the sword, later invited his readers to reply to their enemies “always with gentleness.” May the glorious Holy Spirit help all who follow this teaching to become all of them in the name of Jesus. Our prayers strengthen all of you in this matter.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows :
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all adoration, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to revert on your queries and comments as necessary, before sharing with you next week on the fourth stage of spiritual ascension which is spiritual appetite, or spiritual hunger.
May the Almighty God bless you in abundance.
David Feze, Servant of the Lord of armies.