Evident Gentleness
A singular verse in Philippians was recently explored by Pastor Drew Shofner, Sr. Pastor of The Church at Severn Run. This one verse challenged those present to deeply consider:
- What happens when grace meets faith.
- What happens when as Christians we seek and embrace the indwelling of Jesus in us.
- When the character of God is reflected in each of us.
Philippians 4:5 reads, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” This verse, though brief, is rich with meaning and significance for Christians both in the time of Paul and in the present day. It speaks to the heart of Christian character, urging believers to reflect the gentleness of Christ in their daily lives. This gentleness, rooted in humility and love, becomes a testimony to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel. In exploring this verse, we find that it encapsulates the profound relationship between grace and faith, the indwelling of Jesus within believers, and the reflection of God’s character through His people.
The Call to Gentleness
Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians to let their gentleness be evident to all is a call to a way of life that transcends mere human kindness. The gentleness spoken of here is not weakness but a strength that comes from a deep trust in God. It is a fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, where Paul lists gentleness among the qualities that the Holy Spirit produces in a believer. This gentleness is an outward expression of an inward transformation—a transformation that occurs when grace meets faith.
When Christians embrace the grace of God through faith, they begin to embody the character of Christ. This is the essence of the Christian life: to become more like Jesus. In Ephesians 4:2, Paul encourages believers to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Here, humility and gentleness are linked, reminding us that gentleness flows from a heart that is humble, one that recognizes its need for God’s grace.
Emily Dickinson, in her poem “If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking,” captures the essence of Christian gentleness:
“If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.”
Dickinson’s words echo the call to gentleness in Philippians 4:5, reminding us that our actions, no matter how small, have the potential to reflect the love and compassion of Christ. When Christians live out this gentleness, they participate in the redemptive work of Christ, bringing His love to a hurting world.
Grace Meets Faith
The implications of Philippians 4:5 become even more profound when we consider what happens when grace meets faith. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, given freely to all who believe. Faith is the response to that grace, a trust in God’s promises and a willingness to live in accordance with His will. When grace meets faith, a transformation occurs. The believer is no longer bound by sin but is made new in Christ.
This transformation is not just a change in behavior but a change in identity. The believer is now a child of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and called to reflect the character of God in their life. As they grow in their relationship with Christ, they become more like Him, exhibiting the qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
The 19th-century hymn “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken” by Henry F. Lyte beautifully captures the surrender and trust required in this journey of faith:
“Take, my soul, thy full salvation;
Rise o’er sin and fear and care;
Joy to find in every station
Something still to do or bear:
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
What a Father’s smile is thine,
What a Savior died to win thee:
Child of heaven, shouldst thou repine?”
Lyte’s hymn reminds believers that the journey of faith is one of continual surrender, trust, and reliance on the indwelling presence of Jesus. As Christians yield to the Holy Spirit, they become more like Christ, and their gentleness becomes evident to all.
The Reflection of God’s Character
When Christians embrace the indwelling of Jesus and seek to reflect God’s character, they become living testimonies of the gospel. Their gentleness, rooted in the grace of God, becomes a powerful witness to the world. In a culture that often values power and assertiveness, the gentleness of Christ stands out as a radical and countercultural way of living. It challenges the norms of society and points to a different kingdom—a kingdom where the meek inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
Philippians 4:5 is a call to live out the gentleness of Christ in a world that desperately needs it. It is a reminder that the Lord is near, both in His return and in His presence within us. As Christians allow grace to meet faith and seek to reflect the character of God, their gentleness will be evident to all, and they will bear witness to the transforming power of the gospel.
Let us strive to live out this calling with humility, love, and a deep trust in the nearness of the Lord.
JG