Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 29: GENTLENESS”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Titus 3:1-2 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
What if we would all wake up with this reminder on our mirror?
What if our president and governing officials did?
What if the media before they wrote or went on air had this reminder in front of them?
What if the CEO of our company posted this so all could see each day?
What if our families embraced this as we went off to school, work, and the day’s activities?
What if I embraced this personally as I went through my day?
Can you already begin to sense stress release, tensions begin to calm, and the division at every turn begin to ease?
I can.
But that’s what happens when our sinful nature is put under the control of Christ and the power of the Spirit of God shows more often and evidently in my life and the lives of others. The Lord knows that my sinful nature and that of every person in society naturally drags us down a path to be disobedient, a tendency toward selfish evil, protecting my reputation over someone else’s, thinking myself better than another, and allowing my pride to run rampant.
I need the reminder. So do you.
At the heart of it is gentleness, or here translated, “considerate.” Gentleness responds with a respect and humility toward another person. Gentleness isn’t trying to “one-up” or “outdo” another person, but to come alongside them. Gentleness seeks to understand, give respect, and honor those God has put around us and over us. It’s just what God’s people do.
We treat people with consideration, with gentleness.
When we follow Jesus and walk in step with the Spirit of God, it is always the best way to believe and live. The Lord loves to bless as we follow his loving commands. In fact all his commands are not burdensome because all of his command are intended for our blessing!
James sees the blessing of understanding and living the wisdom of God. He says in 3:17: But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Once again a key characteristic of godly wisdom is consideration. It’s thinking of others before yourself. It is seeking peace over conflict, mercy over violence, purity over evil.
It’s just what we do when we live forgiven in Christ and guided by the wisdom of God.
Apply: Write Titus 3:1-2 on a card and put on your mirror. Let it remind you every day for a week. Note how your interactions and relationships change as a result.
Prayer: Forgive me Lord for times and days where I exhibit everything but your love and consideration. Empower and remind me by your Spirit “to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” AMEN.