The Will of God: Loving Kindness

 

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, 

kindness (gentleness), humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 

bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, 

if any one has a complaint against another; 

even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Colossians 3:12-13

Gentleness is the quality of having a mild manner, not severe, violent, or loud. It is a quiet and respectful kindness.  The Bible warns believers not to strive but to be gentle to all men:  

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  1 Timothy 2:24

We are not to be brawlers. Brawlers are people who are always fighting or arguing:  

To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. Titus 3:2

We are to be easily entreated. That means we are to be easily approached by others because of our gentle nature:  

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  James 3:17

King David wrote:  

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation; and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.   Psalms 18:35

This is the will of  God:

Ö     God desires us to be kind and loving 

           GENTLENESS, (KINDNESS) WHAT IS IT?

           Ø  It's the way we feel and act towards others
           Ø  Humility and Humbleness before God
           Ø  Putting others before ourselves
           Ø  Meekness and Gentleness, Christ like

          GENTLENESS, (KINDNESS) WHAT DOES IT ACCOMPLISH?

           ØMakes people "feel loved by you"
           ØMakes people "see Jesus in you"

Ö     God desires us to have a gentle Christ like personality  

         ØA Gentle spirit of.... Kindness and love

                       Godly love not worldly lust
                       Not inward and selfish

                       Outward toward others 

                 The more love we give, the more love we have

          ØA Gentle spirit of:
                      Humbleness and Humility (not prideful and proud or boastful)    

                      Being well focused on things of God, not worldly, envious or jealous

                      Forgiveness and being quick to overlook the sins of others

Ö      God desires us to have the manifestations of gentleness  

STEPHEN THE FIRST MARTYR:  (Acts 6-7)

The desire to serve the Lord manifests itself in one's life to serve others.  Jews who accepted Jesus usually were turned away from their families.  The early church was a sharing church with food, cloths and housing.  Soon there were so many people that some were being overlooked and set aside.  There were many complaints and so Stephen was chosen as one of the seven deacons to manage the situation in the early church.  He had full faith, grace, wisdom and a humbleness of spirit yet he was a teacher and leader.

Stephen was a good manager and well versed in communication skills.  He could preach with tremendous power and authority!  When confronted concerning his witness for God by the council, his testimony about the history of Jesus was very convincing.  Stephen had to have known that he was antagonizing the people leading up to his death.  Yet he still spoke out and told the truth even unto death.  These men could not bear to have their various sins revealed.  So in a Christ like way, he asked that their sins be forgiven them as he died a painful death by being stoned.

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:59-60

 *     Stephen had a gentle forgiving spirit:
            His loving, kind, gentle spirit in small things prepared him for a greater job.
            His understanding of Jesus and compassion lead to loving actions toward people.
            His Gentle spirit led him to forgive even those who killed him.

*     Stephen had become Christ like

In thought...his heart and mind were upon the Lord, "receive my spirit."
           In word........he spoke it with his mouth, "cried with a loud voice"

In deed........he forgave them,  "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." 

JESUS CHRIST  FORGAVE THE WORLD:

This is what the bible says about Jesus Christ:  

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.  Luke 23:33-34 

While Jesus was dying on the cross for your sins and mine he said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."  Who ever wants to be like our Lord and Savior Jesus, has got to be willing to lay their life down for Him.  That means putting other people's hurts, sorrows and feelings ahead of our own.  To be Christ like means to be gentle, kind, loving and compassionate like Jesus is.  We all, every last one of us, have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Romans 3:23

Yet He forgives us our sins unto Salvation. 

Being Like Jesus Is Having His Gentleness Manifested In Our Lives.

God desires us to practice "using" the fruit of the spirit, gentleness, (kindness) That is the will of  God!

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:32   

Ö      Spirit filled believers are and act very kind and loving

              They try not to act out with bad attitudes. Bad attitudes:
                   Improperly using anger
                   Improperly using harsh hateful words 
Ö      Spirit filled believers are tenderhearted, reaching out to others.
Ö      Spirit filled believers forgive others with all the gentleness of heart they possess. 
Ö      Spirit filled believers have good attitudes. Attitudes such as:
                   Kindness
                   Gentleness
                   Having a right heart before God

(Biblical Studies) 

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