14 July 2010 (Revee/Shavu'ot) Day #121, 5934 AM
Evident Gentleness
The Manifested Gift of the Ruach
One of the nine fruits of the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) is chrestotes or "gentleness" (Gal.5:23). So important is this fruit that Paul instructed the Philippian saints saying:
"Let your gentleness be evident to all (everyone)" (Phil.4:5, NIV).
The apostle James backed him up:
"But the Wisdom (Hochmah, Ruach haQodesh, Holy Spirit) that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17, NKJV).
If gentleness is such an important fruit or characteristic of the one walking in the Ruach, what is it? Gentleness, according to the usage of our language, may may be said to possess the following nine attributes:
- 1. Mildness;
- 2. Kindliness;
- 3. Softness;
- 4. Temperance;
- 5. Mildness;
- 6. Moderation;
- 7. Easily yielded (to an owner like Christ);
- 8. Easily tamed (by an owner like Christ);
- 9. Easily subdued (by an owner like Christ).
However, unless we choose to manifest these traits, they will remain hidden and this is the opposite of what Paul tells us to do. He says our gentleness should be "evident", that is, easy to see. Feeling it inside is not enough - the apostle wants us to bring it out, and that implies conscious, deliberate cultivation - it won't just 'happen' by itself. It must be expressed in actions...for all to see as a witness of Messiah.
If they aren't present, we have work to do - not in creating these dispositions in our own strength (by acting them out) but actually allowing the Ruach haQodesh to turn what Yah'shua has done in our hearts into outward actions of mildness, kindliness, softness, temperance, mildness and mdoeration - anything else is a denial of what He is and what He has done for us. It is a talent buried and unmultiplied.
Manifest your gentleness today - the gentleness that comes from above - and give glory to Yahweh!
Share
|